NYC vs. 10,000 BIKES

Washington, D.C.

What happens when you insert 10,000 FREE bicycles in one of America's busiest cities?  This next year, Alta Bike Share of Portland, Oregon, will provide 10,000 bikes to New York City.  So, we will soon find out about the interest and outcome.  

NYC residents will use the bikes to avoid walking multiple blocks because they are free for the first 30 minutes.  Vacationers and visitors to the area will also use them.  This should be worthy of a social study in human behavior.  Can NYC locals coexist with out-of-town leisure travelers on bikes?  I say no!  The funniest thing to see is a family of four (Dad, Mom, and two young children) riding these bikes.  In most circumstances (not generalizing), Dad and the children are fine, but Mom (who may have never biked before, doesn't really care for the sport, or doesn't like the helmet flattening her hair for photographs), is lagging behind and riding recklessly through crowds.  These groups rarely follow any social or legal rules of biking.  Indeed, the locals may not welcome these bikers to the city.

Similar bike programs are happening all around the world with marketable success. Other companies have joined the act. In fact, it is now possible to pick up a ride share bike in Paris.  

Georgetown, D.C.

Alta Bike Share already rolled out its "Free Bikes for 30 Minutes" program in and around Washington, D.C.  The bikes are made of heavy, and I mean heavy very rustproof metal.  Each bike is equipped with a bike basket, a bell (to alert others that you are trying to get to your destination in record speed), an adjustable seat, lighting (which does not require batteries), and a serious gear system, which makes it easy to ride.  The D.C. experiment seems to be working.  So far, they have 1500 bikes at nearly 100 stations throughout the city.  Men and women alike can be seen in full business suits whizzing around the city.  Vacationers are using them, too.  For the workers, their pedal speed indicates that they are attempting to reach their destination in 30 minutes or less (which is free).  Vacationers are riding just fast enough to keep the bike erect.  It is obvious that Americans have been staying inside and playing video games.  It's fun to watch and inspiring to see a new form of transportation around these busy cities.    

So how does it work you ask?  Approximately every half mile, bike stations are secured to a sidewalk area.  Each station holds approximately eight to ten bikes.  There is a credit card machine which accepts a membership card.  Upon inserting your membership card, a bike is released.  When you reach your destination, you insert your bike into another bike share station, and your transaction is complete.  If you are a fast rider and can arrive at your destination within 30 minutes, your ride is free.  

After the first free 30 minutes, you pay $1.50 for the next 30 minutes, and $1.50 for the third 30 minutes, or $3.00 for 90 minutes.  After 90 minutes, you pay $6.00 per hour.  These are the prices in Washington, D.C., but I suspect that NYC's prices are higher.  Memberships for this service are priced at $5 for 24 hours, $15 for five days, $25 for 30 days, and $75 for one year.  Bikes are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.  

Having closely observed the operation in Washington, D.C., I find it interesting that the bikes seem to even out at the stations.  You would think that ten people would pick up bikes at one station, leaving it completely empty.  This does happen, but because other bike share bikers coming from another area ride up and drop off their bikes the filling station always seems to have enough bikes.  I guess the company's logistic experts studied the concept and figured out this facet of the program.  

Brooklyn, NYC

My wife and I have experienced biking in New York City.  You would think it would be difficult, but once you are on the outskirts the sidewalks are huge, and it is easy to avoid people.  It is one of the finest modes of transportation in metropolitan areas, such as New York City, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Washington.  Biking in Central Park and Chinatown is unbelievable because the bike allows you to travel to areas that you would not normally walk.  If you just bike the sidewalk (designated bake path) surrounding Manhattan, you'll be amazed at the experience.  But, biking in downtown Manhattan around Times Square is a little different.  First, people (tourists and locals) look at you like you are an alien.  They rarely move over and actually may (we think) move to block your ride.  Street riding is required in this area, but if you want to survive the ordeal, the sidewalk is your only safe haven if possible.  For street riding, we actually timed the traffic lights and flew up and down 5th Avenue when the traffic was at a standstill.  You can hurriedly ride one to two blocks.  It's kind of invigorating, but not for the faint of heart - and definitely NOT for children.  Also, we learned that Sunday mornings and weekday evenings were perfect riding times to buzz quickly around the city.  

Overall, bike share is a terrific program.  And, most bike rental companies don't mind its invasion into the area.  This is because after 6 1/2 hours, you would pay at least $70.  These bikes are to serve one purpose, which is to help move people cheaply from one location to another.  

The big question is - can New York City absorb 10,000 bicycles?  Or, maybe the bigger question is: Can New York City welcome 10,000 vacationers on bikes?