The astounding success of the Vélib’ bicycle rental program in Paris is the focus this story in the Times. With 20,600 bikes, 1,450 rental stations, 27.5 million trips in its first year, and 120,000 trips a day, it is staggering how popular this program has become.
Boston is also thinking about bike rentals and I think this could be a wonderful part of the transportation solution for Harvard's campus expansion. City Councilor John Connolly has filed legislation and the Mayor's administration is also working on it. You can read a note from John and comments from others over at the Blue Mass Group website.
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I was in Paris in May and used the bike rental system. All you need is a credit card. Paris is bike friendly. You have to obey the same rules of the road as cars. I saw many tourist being pulled over by the police. You can find rentals everyplace. Is Boston willing to give up parking spots for bikes? Another factor was that most streets have parking on one side. Can Boston live with the extra bikes on the road. I think it should. Then the Mayor can say Boston is a walking and biking gity.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope that Boston will follow that example. I think it is especially important to plan bike paths in a way that promote daily commuting (work/groceries), not only for recreational/weekend/leisure biking. There are towns in the USA (Madison, WI for example) that show that it is possible to setup a readily accessible Bike rental outfits and an infrastructure to safely bike on.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't find yourself in this situation, I'd say you're all set.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz3q_6lkD8s
it's hilarious you've gotta watch it