Streetfilms checks out D.C. bike-sharing system: An update on Portland's plans
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on August 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
The crew from NYC-based Streetfilms has published a good overview of the recently launced SmartBike DC bike-sharing system.
With bike-sharing still in the plans for Portland, it's worth keeping tabs on how things go in D.C.
As for Portland's plans, here's a little update on where things stand.
The bike-sharing idea originated in Commissioner Adams' office but it has now been re-assigned to a staffer at PDOT's Transportation Options division. The staffer in charge of the project tells me he's currently, "researching and evaluating international and national bike
sharing systems". He says he's also delving into the boarding rates of TriMet and Portland Streetcar in the Central City to "help gauge our potential market".
PDOT is also exploring other issues like right-of-way constraints, liability, safety, and various cost vs. revenue models. All this work is part of their plan to issue a revised Request For Proposals (RFP). No date has been set for the new RFP.
Learn more about how Washington D.C.'s system works in the video below:
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I just don\'t see how bike share works in Portland when Fareless Square covers the entirety of downtown (and then some). The most obvious case for bike share is someone needs to take a quick trip from the office to somewhere during their lunch hour, but TriMet already has that covered. Are people going to hop on a bike instead of a bus, train or streetcar?
RecommendedI\'ll hop on a bike instead of a bus, train or street car any day!
I work downtown and although fairless square is nice, often times the wait for the next train or bus, short as it may be, is too long on one\'s precious lunch hour. If their was a bike share facility nearby and I hadn\'t ridden my own bike into work that day, I\'d definitely use it.
RecommendedI\'d take a bike over the bus any day! I usually need to get diagonal across downtown on my lunch break. Busses tend to run north-south or east-west. I usually end up just walking becuase waiting for a bus to come, and then switching busses, and then walking to my destination is just too slow.
RecommendedI\'m with Scott. Depending on the distance, by the time the bus/train gets to your stop, you could have already biked/walked. You don\'t have to wait for anything before bike sharing, except perhaps the initial bike check-out.
Of course if Trimet\'s wait times were lowered for the downtown core, it would not be an issue, but that\'s another blog.
RecommendedIf they can work out a system with bikes in the suburbs, that would be great for me. I could take the Max to Hillsboro and then ride the last bit to work. I think I could find someone to bike share with on night shift. It could help with number of bikes on the Max.
RecommendedI\'m with you guys, I *personally* would ride a bike, but I already bike commute and I think most of us here do the same. The problem is, we\'ve got to have a bike share program that captures people who don\'t like riding enough to take their bikes to work, but would prefer paying for a bike to riding TriMet for free or walking.
If it\'s ever going to work, it would probably be now, when buses are a little less centrally located (3rd and 4th instead of 5th and 6th) and the new trains aren\'t running up and down the mall. My suspicion is that because bike enthusiasts will already have their bikes with them, bike sharing is doomed to failure in the central city.
I\'d love to be proven wrong on this, because the concept of a bike share seems like a really neat idea, I just think the specifics won\'t work here.
RecommendedWill they be filming Blumenhummer in his SUV?
Recommendedthis is the exact same bike program (well in terms of the bikes and setup) that i´m seeing here in barcelona right now. i´m having way too much fun to sit here and analyze it....but i can tell you that i am totally amazed at how many people, of all types, are using it. there are countless bike stations around the city....the only part that sucks about it is that the cops yell at you if you try and fit two people on a bike....
RecommendedNot to certain about the claim of \"first in North America\" ... first in the USA perhaps.
Recommended