[LNahid2000]

Biggest expansion ever is coming, and e-bikes!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bike-share-getting-a-big-new-cash-infusion-1.5426530?fbclid=IwAR3RuGM-48NBVjmzpBLNbex4my2FpQAF-9BPEZvJ0XKccPjNgKB8cSPnNtw

 

[Northern Light]

Biggest expansion ever is coming, and e-bikes!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bike-share-getting-a-big-new-cash-infusion-1.5426530?fbclid=IwAR3RuGM-48NBVjmzpBLNbex4my2FpQAF-9BPEZvJ0XKccPjNgKB8cSPnNtw

From the above:

1,700 more bikes,
150 new docking stations
Individual docks from 8,550 to 12,000.

The new equipment represents a 35 per cent increase in the number of Bike Share stations

I believe there is an intent to roll the program out to York U, a few other far flung spots, along with growing the core area, and have bike share at more Subway and GO stations.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Anyone using Bikeshare during Covid19? No way I’m touching shared handlebars, gloves or no. I suppose one could Purell the bars and seat adjustment and one‘s hands before setting off, same as we do shopping carts.

 

[innsertnamehere]

apparently ridership is down by about 50% over last year, which isn't as bad as I would have expected. A lot probably has to do with the expansion and the fact that if it wasn't for COVID ridership would likely have been way up this year.

 

[max]

Anyone using Bikeshare during Covid19? No way I’m touching shared handlebars, gloves or no. I suppose one could Purell the bars and seat adjustment and one‘s hands before setting off, same as we do shopping carts.

I've used it. There's been a rumor that -- you know, a very nice rumor -- that you go outside in the sun you have heat and it does have an effect on other viruses. Bike share may have spoken to the medical doctors to see if there's any way that you can apply light to the handlebars.

 

[ADRM]

I've used it. There's been a rumor that -- you know, a very nice rumor -- that you go outside in the sun you have heat and it does have an effect on other viruses. Bike share may have spoken to the medical doctors to see if there's any way that you can apply light to the handlebars.

Just don't try to swallow the bike itself.

 

[tripwire]

I've seen a number of folks using them. I think so long as they are able to keep it clean (wipe handlebars, etc) I think it should be OK.

 

[PinkLucy]

Wash your hands after use and keep your hands away from your face.

 

[ADRM]

apparently ridership is down by about 50% over last year, which isn't as bad as I would have expected

This is almost exactly correct; April 2019 ridership was 145,156, and April 2020 ridership was 71,781; even the latter is still a lot of trips, considering the environment we're in. Will be interesting to see how the next few months unfold compared against last year's totals, taking into account the gradual easing of the lockdown.

By way of comparison, peak months last year:
June 2019: 292,283
July 2019: 382,255
August 2019: 417,400
September 2019: 330,712

 

[Midtown Urbanist]

I've seen more people using it in Midtown than ever before, but that is likely because expansion is brand new up here, there is finally supply.

I think most people in this crises would just find gloves to use while biking. The biggest problem for Bike Share is that there is an obvious lack of demand due to way less trips taking place.

 

[salsa]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1262825389136674824

 

[Midtown Urbanist]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1262825389136674824

Wasn't even aware that SoBi came under Uber control.

This is a great example though of why I am so skeptical of big tech entering housing and transportation (such as with Sidewalk/Google at Quayside). They can enter a market with intention to disrupt, then decide to exit the market at their convenience, leaving the public to pick up the tab.

I guess Hamilton should be happy that at least Uber did not leave behind proprietary infrastructure.

 

[cytor]

Oh this is sad. I wasn't aware that the system was being run by a private company. Makes me want to research if Bike Share is also in a similar agreement. We can't afford to lose the system especially now. (Also hi, first post here ? )

 

[Admiral Beez]

apparently ridership is down by about 50% over last year, which isn't as bad as I would have expected. A lot probably has to do with the expansion and the fact that if it wasn't for COVID ridership would likely have been way up this year.

I’m riding the bicycle a lot during Covid19, just with nowhere to go I’m just taking my own bicycle instead of the Bikeshare. I wonder how many Covid19 Bikeshare rides are just big circles.

 

[W. K. Lis]

From the Hamilton Spectator...

Uber-owned SoBi to stop running popular bicycle ride-sharing service in Hamilton

From link.

Uber-owned SoBi Hamilton will stop running the popular bike-share service in June because of COVID-19.

The surprise announcement comes after council recently renewed the operating contract and could leave 26,000 local SoBi bicycle users without a rental ride just weeks from now.

The city learned of the ride-hailing giant’s unilateral plan to “shut down” SoBi Hamilton operations Friday. Planning general manager Jason Thorne told councillors in a weekend memo the city plans to contact SoBi and Uber “seeking clarification on their position and reminding them of their contractual obligations to the city.”

In a letter from Social Bicycles, general manager Bill Knapp told the city Uber has off-loaded many of its foot-powered services to another company, Lime. And thanks to COVID-19, “we have made the very difficult decision to shut down all remaining bike and scooter operations,” he said, including in Hamilton.

A spokesperson for Uber, which recently announced 3,700 layoffs worldwide due to pandemic business losses, said via email the company is “disappointed to be sharing this news and are engaging with (Hamilton) officials to discuss transition.”

The decision was a “surprise” to the city because council recently approved a contract extension through February 2021, said transportation planning director Brian Hollingworth. He noted even during the first months of the pandemic, another 300 riders signed up for SoBi memberships.

“It’s just the worst timing,” said downtown Coun. Jason Farr, who noted the city is working on a pandemic “mobility plan” to help residents get around safely as the city emerges from COVID-19 lockdown.

“I would expect demand is going to increase for what is already a popular, well-used (bike-share) service,” he said.

An update going to council Wednesday suggests it could cost $700,000 a year to run the service or pay a different operator. Council is already struggling with a pandemic deficit that could balloon to $60 million by the end of July.

The bike share program started in 2015 using a Metrolinx grant to allow the city to buy the distinctive blue bikes and rental hubs set up through the lower city.

The city owns the bike infrastructure, but a Social Bicycles subcontractor runs the system — collecting rental and membership fees but also paying staff to move and repair the 900 bikes, respond to customers and update software. The report to council acknowledges the system “does not generate net profits.”

The bike-share company rebranded as Jump in 2018, just months before being purchased by Uber. SoBi also parted ways last year with the local nonprofit originally subcontracted to run the system.

ome founders of the original group, Hamilton Bike Share, are still involved with efforts to provide affordable SoBi passes to low-income residents via the cycling equity initiative everyonerides.org.

Until the latest crisis, the city had been studying expanding bike share to the east end and onto the Mountain.

News that the popular program is in jeopardy spurred outrage and calls for a city takeover.

In response to questions at a COVID-19 news conference, Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he believes “we’re going to find a way” to keep bike share alive. Online, Coun. Nrinder Nann called on Uber to “honour your contract,” while Environment Hamilton suggested the bike-share program should be publicly run.