KC Bike share

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KCPowercat
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KC Bike share

Post by KCPowercat »

I didn't see a topic on this anywhere although o know it has been mentioned in other threads.

Bike sharing is coming to kc.  There will be a demo first Friday may 6th. Anybody have info as to where the stations will be and costs?  I looked up a similar service in Denver and it was 6 for a day, 50 for a year. Seems like a great deal.

HTTP://bikesharekc.com
http://downtownkcmo.blogspot.com

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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

They need a station at major MAX stops. Even though I have a bike, I'd use this often when not planning to take it out.

Denver's has a usage fee after the base fee...
http://www.denverbikesharing.org/membership.php
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by KC Sporting Life »

Not sure about cost, but one station will be located at 20th and Baltimore, on the NE corner.  It will be in the lot of the old MobilFone building. 
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by KCPowercat »

I'm excited for this. I was looking to buy a bike but resisted due to lack of a place to store it. I'm just going to do these now.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by staubio »

Second the MAX stop idea. It would be awesome to hop a bus to midtown and then grab a bike for running around after not having to climb the hill or haul my own bike from home. Makes the spontaneous outing easy.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

I wonder what happens if you want to return a bike but all docks are full... that is someone returned bikes from other stations.  

The stations in Denver, there are several dozen downtown, have internet access.  You can see on the map how many bikes are available and how many docks are open.

http://denver.bcycle.com/
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

Found my answer here.. all kinds of tidbits on how it works..

See the 4th section...
http://denver.bcycle.com/About/FAQs.aspx
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by KCPowercat »

Anybody going to make it down to see the demo?  I can't make it so gather all the Intel you can.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

I'll be checking it out.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by KCPowercat »

Any details from Friday?
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

I checked it out.  Didn't sound as solid as I was hoping for in terms of a mass rollout.

A few are planned for downtown initially. They hope to get the City and ATA on board to fund placing a few near MAX bus stops. Expansion will likely need to come from sponsors. If you work in the city and take bus, might promote this to your place of work to sponsor a station.

There is a smartphone app that shows all stations, how many available, how many slots open. Pretty slick. I'll be getting an annual membership once they can get enough stations going.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by DaveKCMO »

the next transportation bill may have a program specifically for bike sharing. a recently leaked draft has been circulating amongst the wonks.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by KCPowercat »

So its ran by the organization that does Denver's....bcycle.com?
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

Here is sponsorship info...
http://www.denverbikesharing.org/sponsorship.php

A bit pricey for small companies to sponsor.  Would likely have to be larger companies.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by ignatius »

Is this going anywhere?  Has anyone committed to sponsoring at least a couple stations?
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by DaveKCMO »

ignatius wrote: Is this going anywhere?  Has anyone committed to sponsoring at least a couple stations?
last i heard, they were applying for a grant from humana. would be a good fit to integrate into the grand boulevard makeover, since that seems to be moving at a swift pace.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by DaveKCMO »

got a chance to spend several days using denver's b cycle system last weekend, which is the same vendor being pursued for kc. bikes were solid and very usable. kiosks were seemingly everywhere, but dropped off dramatically outside of the core. their existing system of off-street bike routes was key to making it useful to a non-cyclist like myself. even on-street bike lanes that aren't protected don't inspire confidence to ride without a helmet (kiosks don't offer them, and who wants to travel with their helmet?).
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by DaveKCMO »

we used montreal's bixi bikes while on our vacation last week. as with denver, a good network of well-connected trails makes all the difference. one major drawback there was a $250 deposit for each bike that appeared on the debit card we used, forcing us into some unexpected money shifting to complete our travels. i'm sure it was referenced in the 52-page terms of service they ask you to read at the kiosk :)
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by earthling »

The City should invest in a few stations to kickstart this, near MAX stops... 3rd/Grand, 10th/Main center, Xroads, CC, Plaza MAX stops.
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Re: KC Bike share

Post by chingon »

How fucking awesome would it be if they did that and then integrated a monthly/daily/3day ATA pass and a bike share "membership".
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