Another Wise Calgary Idea - Bike-Share

[darklord700]

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/12/12...an-from-vendor

I have to give it to the Sun, if not for them, I wouldn't have heard about this brilliant idea. Only $6000 per bike, who would've thought?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by darklord700

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/12/12...an-from-vendor

I have to give it to the Sun, if not for them, I wouldn't have heard about this brilliant idea. Only $6000 per bike, who would've thought?

Did you read the article at all? The issue isn't whether or not a bike share program is a good fit for Calgary, it's that the study into that issue was done by a company that operates bike shares.

[Table 5]

God I hate the writing style of the Sun. Even when they have a decent point to make (and that's questionable most of the time), they always do it in that silly snarky sarcastic tone that makes you want to kick them in the nuts.

[Bunk]

It's something several cities have done, but Calgary is just studying at this point to see if it's feasible. The sense is that probably Calgary needs to develop some better on-street infrastructure before it's a program that would be viable and self-sustaining. Bike Shares are targeted to the casual rider and this requires infrastructure that the average rider feels safe on. Although we have great paths, we still have a lot of work with on-street infrastructure. Developing bike lanes, is the major focus of the cycling strategy, which was recently fully funded by City Council over the next 4 years.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Table 5

God I hate the writing style of the Sun. Even when they have a decent point to make (and that's questionable most of the time), they always do it in that silly snarky sarcastic tone that makes you want to kick them in the nuts.

Even though it is an opinion article, if I heard someone actually say that I would think they were a pompous jerk with an overdeveloped sense of their own importance.

[Cowboy89]

I have seen similar bike share programs in Boston and New York and I thought it was a good idea. That said these cities have a longer season of snow-free roads (Which I know posters like hulkrogan are going to argue that you can still bike in -20C and snow covered roads but the reality is that the casual rider certainly isn't) and much more defined infrastructure within the road system to accomidate them.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by valo403

Did you read the article at all? The issue isn't whether or not a bike share program is a good fit for Calgary, it's that the study into that issue was done by a company that operates bike shares.

Which is ridiculous. Its like asking the barber whether you need a haricut.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Slava

Which is ridiculous. Its like asking the barber whether you need a haricut.

I'm not really sure how ridiculous it is. I work in the IT consulting business, and my company is contracted to complete business case/feasibility studies all the time for projects we would later deliver if the client agreed to them. One could argue it's a conflict of interest, but we take our professionalism and integrity very seriously; we would never recommend a bad solution to a client even if it would be very profitable for us to do so.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I have seen similar bike share programs in Boston and New York and I thought it was a good idea.

Our DT is really small in comparison and we have free DT C Train. On the other hand, it might not be a bad idea to watch the DT girls riding a bike in skirt and 3 inch heels.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'm not really sure how ridiculous it is. I work in the IT consulting business, and my company is contracted to complete business case/feasibility studies all the time for projects we would later deliver if the client agreed to them. One could argue it's a conflict of interest, but we take our professionalism and integrity very seriously; we would never recommend a bad solution to a client even if it would be very profitable for us to do so.

That's the exact thing I was thinking when I read the article.

When I go to Slava, I expect he will suggest products and services to me that will benefit me in the way I am looking for, but still provide him a benefit. I know he does this (as does every other person who ever tries to sell a service) and I take that into account when I consider if I want to use his services.

If I was to go to him blindly, and take what he suggested without any regard for my own self interests, then I am a fool, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't have gone to him for suggestions.

Council should take these recommendations, and shop around for bids from providers that can offer similar services. To do otherwise would be foolish, but that doesn't mean getting the study done was.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Rathji

When I go to Slava, I expect he will suggest products and services to me that will benefit me in the way I am looking for, but still provide him a benefit.

The difference is that IT consulting/layering/accounting is a long term relationship between the clients and the service providers. So the service providers have built in incentive to look out for the long term interest of their clients for repeat businesses.

A bike shop or bike-share outfit only has an one off relationship with the city. If the city doesn't buy from this bike-share outfit, the city won't buy anything from them anyway because they have nothing else to sell. This bike-share outfit interest lies in making this one and only sale to this city and nothing else.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Rathji

That's the exact thing I was thinking when I read the article.

When I go to Slava, I expect he will suggest products and services to me that will benefit me in the way I am looking for, but still provide him a benefit. I know he does this (as does every other person who ever tries to sell a service) and I take that into account when I consider if I want to use his services.

If I was to go to him blindly, and take what he suggested without any regard for my own self interests, then I am a fool, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't have gone to him for suggestions.

Council should take these recommendations, and shop around for bids from providers that can offer similar services. To do otherwise would be foolish, but that doesn't mean getting the study done was.

And thats definitely a consideration, except that you don't pay me to provide those options to you!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Slava

And thats definitely a consideration, except that you don't pay me to provide those options to you!

Maybe you should commission a study that shows that he should pay you for providing those options

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

That said these cities have a longer season of snow-free roads (Which I know posters like hulkrogan are going to argue that you can still bike in -20C and snow covered roads but the reality is that the casual rider certainly isn't)

Haha, I love how I became "that guy".

My argument is more for the -20 part than the snow covered roads. I don't think anyone likes riding on slippery roads with cars around, it's scary no matter how comfortable you are on a bike.

For a mountain biker, snowy pathways can be fun. But for most people they are just a pain in the butt, and a deterrent to riding.

The city does a good job clearing the pathways, but really the pathways aren't ever and end-to-end point-A-to-point-B solution. You have to end up on the roads at some point, and obviously not many people are comfortable with that or we'd have more bike commuters.

I agree with bunk and yourself wholeheartedly that this has no chance at working until biking around downtown is "easy" for even the most casual of riders.

I think there are lots of people that would consider hopping a train downtown then grabbing a bike from a bike share to hit up 17th ave, if there is a good route there. Right now, especially in the North/South route department, we are severely lacking. Going under the CP tracks sucks, and every street that goes under the tracks is severely busy.

[habernac]

having Michael Platt the bike hater write the article was another touch of Sun genius. My favourite line is how the bike lane has "ruined" 10th St.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Our DT is really small in comparison and we have free DT C Train.

One of the reasons why I think it could possibly work is due to the fact that it will be able to connect the CBD with the Beltline. The Beltline could offer a lot and I think a bike share program could open it up.

In addition, I also believe that it could extend the range of the CTrain from the CBD and Stampede/Victoria into the Beltline. TfL is have a lot of success integrating the Barclays Cycle Hire into their system.