KCRag Forum

Dallas finally gets bikeshare though using a stationless bike system. The benefit is quick low cost startup and potentially broad distribution but with lack of structure bikes could end up anywhere (private property) and you don't have dependable place to get a bike, especially if a few people want to bike together. And at a station if you see a bad bike, can usually grab another one. All kinds of potential logistical issues. Might be nice as secondary system (in cities that can support 2) but maybe not as the only system. Or potentially station-based systems can expand into this method as another layer of convenience - leave bike most anywhere.

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2 ... to-dallas/

Toronto has 'free Wednesdays' for a month on bike share...
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toro ... -1.4175184

Something KC could do to boost ridership? They require installing app to use and there is a charge if going over 30min for a ride, so it also gets new riders into the ecosystem.

Tried the new orange bikes and they didn't particularly seem all that lighter, maybe a bit. But they are nicer to ride and the basket doesn't look as dorky as the original bikes. The new ones are starting to trickle down to Westport but haven't seen them further south yet.

Rode on Friday. I did think they felt a lot lighter. I like the look of the new basket better but haven't used it yet to see if it's as functional.

Will have to rotate the two and try again. I did lift both styles up while in dock and couldn't tell much weight difference. Maybe my internal weight sensors are broken, or subconsciously am unfairly comparing to my own lightweight bike. Does anyone have the measured weight of each?

Nice to have options, including the 'dorky' bigger basket option if you plan to carry something more substantial.

STL hopes to get bike share going by 2019, one of last cities...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/traffic/al ... cdefe.html

was in downtown wichita over the weekend. looks like they're rolling out bike share, too: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article148648349.html

For cities that may struggle to get started, starting small probably better way to go. STL is trying to start with 60 stations out of the gate. Would probably have better success starting just in CWE, Forest Park to Delmar Loop and then when people see it working sponsorship for expansion would come easier. They could have done this years ago possbilty w/out a fed grant. If they don't get grant this round, might be the way to go.

DaveKCMO wrote:was in downtown wichita over the weekend. looks like they're rolling out bike share, too: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article148648349.html

Because the article doesn't link to it: http://bike.zagster.com/bikeshareict/

Launched with like 3 stations... most of those listed on the map now have come online in the past couple weeks. Usually see a few riding them anytime I'm in the downtown area.

New job posting for bike technician...
https://kc.bcycle.com/buzz/2017/07/07/n ... technician

Implies new stations going in by Aug, at least one closer to State Line by end of year. Would guess w39th and/or Westport Rd and State Line.

Park City UT started an electric bike system. Would be good for assist but imagine it's high cost maintenance...
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8656 ... ation.html

Park City UT started an electric bike system. Would be good for assist but imagine it's high cost maintenance...
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8656 ... ation.html

No doubt high cost but this is a great idea to get more people out there cycling, especially in hilly cities like KC. Hopefully will become the norm down the road.

I had a chance to ride a high-end electric-assist road bike at a Giant demo day last spring and it was an absolute blast - would be amazing for short-medium distance city rides. However, it was ~$5,000, and quite heavy. Would be great to see a fleet of similar bikes for rent thru B-Cycle, and reason for more people to give it a shot.

Madrid's bike share uses e-bikes. They were great.

Baltimore uses E-bikes.

Six new bike stations showing up on map as "Coming Soon"...
https://kc.bcycle.com/station-map

Two on W side of River Market, two on w39th, only one on Amour (would expect 2-3), one near UMKC student center. That's 6, there was a mention of 7-8 possible so maybe a couple more coming. Pretty good locations though Armour or Valentine/Broadway could use one and maybe Armour/Gilham.

Approaching 40 stations now.

Needs to head east more, but these do a good job of filling in gaps

The UMKC one will be the biggest

I missed one the first time, look at Longview Lake. (or they're still adding to the map)

That's seven new ones.

.

Huh that's interesting about Longview Lake, didn't zoom out far enough or it was just added. A single station way out there is odd, clearly targeting leisure riding only. Adding more still? An experiment?

Maybe with only one along Amour it will encourage MAC to sponsor more stations.

The westside river market ones are a great addition. I haven't been riding to river market on weekends due to traffic so be nice to drop off at those new spots.

Really want a westside location.