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I would have tried one long ago just out of interest, even though it has little performance appeal for me, if it didn't involve all the psychological barriers. I don't have an i-device, and don't want one. I have a dumb-phone, suits me fine, I pay for use by the minute. I do calls through Google phone when possible. Even though I design and develop electronic components and systems, I avoid the 'computer challenge' when ever possible, detest automated check-out counters at stupidmarkets. Just because one prints and publishes books doesn't mean that they're up on the 'latest novel' or is an expert on the Dewey Decimal System (in digital form or otherwise). And unfortunately, a lot of the 'latest' "conveniences" are predicated on doing the Digital Dance.I'm sure it would work out, but the key is convincing people to get on board. IMO, $90 + tax for an entire year is a bit of a psychological barrier for some. But a 4-month (summer) pass for $25? I'm sure lots of people would at least try it, and some would stay.
http://grist.org/living/u-s-bikeshares-have-killed-a-shocking-amount-of-people/[...] “It’s like pedaling a tank,” said Thomas Brereton, 53, an accountant from suburban Westchester County who rides a Citi Bike from the Manhattan train station to his Brooklyn office.
That is precisely why bike share riders across the United States remain safe – even after 23 million rides since 2007 through city streets where taxis screech into bike lanes to pick up passengers and texting pedestrians step obliviously into bikeways, experts say.
“The bikes are heavy, with a very low center of gravity, wide tires, drum brakes that keep the braking system dry even in inclement weather, and the bikes are geared so it is difficult to gain considerable speed,” [transportation researcher Susan] Shaheen said. [...]
And isn't it less with a Presto card?
That's the $45 price point to which @mdrejhon was referring!
I don't know why you claim that you need an i-device to use Bike Share Toronto, and then go into a whole tirade about it.
I know you don't, LN. You've made that point many times. Not everyone is like you. If you want Bike Share to appeal to a wider audience, you're going to have to learn how others outside of the *niche* can be attracted to trying it.I don't know why you claim that you need an i-device to use Bike Share Toronto, and then go into a whole tirade about it.
Because that's the way it's set-up.I don't know why you claim that you need an i-device to use Bike Share Toronto
I know you don't, LN. You've made that point many times. Not everyone is like you. If you want to Bike Share to appeal to a wider audience, you're going to have to learn how others outside of the *niche* can be attracted to trying it.
What would make you attracted to trying it? I'm not sure how your i-device tirade was relavent.I know you don't, LN. You've made that point many times. Not everyone is like you. If you want Bike Share to appeal to a wider audience, you're going to have to learn how others outside of the *niche* can be attracted to trying it.
Because that's the way it's set-up.
I know you don't, LN. You've made that point many times. Not everyone is like you. If you want Bike Share to appeal to a wider audience, you're going to have to learn how others outside of the *niche* can be attracted to trying it.
Even better, take a hint from how NYC is doing this: (albeit this is a different demographic, but surely this is a way to appeal to getting more users?)Not everyone realizes it's essentially "$90 for unlimited 30-minute bike rentals, all year long" and you can use any bike stations to reset your rental timer, for longer rides, or intermediate stops in your journey, etc. Cut that price to $45 and it's indeed a steal.
NYCHA Residents
All New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents qualify for a $5/month Citi Bike membership with annual commitment.
Citi Bike aims to offer New Yorkers an affordable, accessible and fun new transportation option. All New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents 16 years and older qualify for a $5/month Citi Bike membership, with an annual commitment. You'll get an unlimited number of rides for a whole year, and access to thousands of bikes across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Jersey City.
The first 45 minutes of each ride are included in your membership price. If you keep a bike out for longer than 45 minutes at a time, you'll be charged usage fees. To avoid usage fees, keep your rides to 45 minutes or less. A ride begins when a bike is unlocked and ends when the bike is securely returned to any Citi Bike station. For more details on pricing, see the Annual Membership page.
A Citi Bike membership is not transferable, and a member key must not be shared.
Here's what you need to sign up:
- NYCHA Account Number (found on your tenant rent bill – example: 001-001-01A)
- Birth year of resident
- Birth day of resident (can be single or double digits, for example 3 or 23)
- Credit or debit card*
I am, and I don't deny that. That's why I'm looking for a junker for the winter. (I've found one, for $100, just vacillating on buying it)Steve, your bike is a fifty year old classic outfitted with special components. You sir, are a niche.
Even better, take a hint from how NYC is doing this: (albeit this is a different demographic, but surely this is a way to appeal to getting more users?)
Interesting you note Bay, though, as to me, it's one of the single worst route for cyclists in the city. That'd be somewhat mitigated, though, if the new Yonge St. design miraculously manages to produce physically-protected cycle infrastructure.
I actually prefer Bay over Sherbourne. I find the lights along Sherbourne are badly timed for North-South Traffic. It's a bit weird riding along what feels like a highway, but that HOV lane does make a difference in how safe I feel. I find motorists tend to stay out of the lane, and when they do enter it, its wide enough that they can pass me without me feeling squeezed in.
As for Yonge Street, there are a lot of forces pushing for a fully pedestrianized Yonge, which would not include bike lanes. I'm leaning towards this idea, and hoping for bike lanes along Bay instead.