I lived in Paris for many years and we had Bikeshare there, and so do many major cities around the world. The fact that the racks are full does NOT—repeat, NOT—mean that no one is using the bikes. The bikes can be picked up and dropped off at any hub, which means that a full rack can also represent the fact that people have dropped them off from elsewhere. In Paris and elsewhere, the constant flow of picking up and dropping off usually means that most racks have plenty of available bikes, which is part of how the system works. But part of most bikeshare systems is a mechanism for correcting imbalances in bike availability, eg transporting bikes from stations that have too many to those that don’t have enough. Such balancing is part of this program as well. It seems that some in Croton are not willing to give a chance to a program that has worked in many different communities and situations. Seeing everything through an ideological lens usually means clouding one’s vision.
Unfortunate that we didn’t take the opportunity to require helmets for power assisted bicycle riders and a 15 mph maximum assisted or independent speed. Typical of the mindless follow the pack mentality that we bring to local government. Abc M
See that is what happens when you jump the gun and do not read the whole article. Train station in, the bike shop is okay with it. So my apologies for my quick response which proved to be not quite right. I learned my lesson this is the last time I will respond without reading from beginning to end.
Thanks Mary. We all do that from time to time, and it’s a good lesson to remember to be fully informed before speaking or writing! I lived in Paris for 30 years, and we had a Velib (bikeshare) station in front of our apartment building the last 10 years we were there. All of the stations in Paris were about five minute walk away. That is probably not feasible in Croton, but I think the stations are very strategically placed. Len gave a good example of how you can grab a bike at the train station and then go to a number of key spots in the village, and then grab a bike again and return to the station. Lots of possibilities for those with open minds!
Yes, Michael and I've seen these and motorized scooters in cities like Seattle. But this isn't a major city like Paris where you have everything within blocks of one's home. This is a Village and things are more spread out and you need to travel to neighboring towns to get what you need. Additionally, my Ossining observation holds as I've never seen a single user on the streets on one of these bikes. We'll see though and thanks- enjoy the tet-a-tet.
And yet the stats from the pilot program Len cited show that the bikes were used. So your personal observations on the streets of Ossining are not a reliable source of data. Everyone in Croton knows that I do not hesitate to be critical of public officials in Croton, nor do I hesitate to publish the criticisms of others, but they have to be based on facts.
I would love to know who had the BRILLIANT idea to put one near Oneida and Riverside. Perhaps you can put the small owner of the bike store across the street out of business. And Maple Commons was another great idea and just where in front of the park or the sidewalk in front of the Commons where there is just about enough room to walk now. Why not the Croton train station so visitors would have access getting off the train. But who am I greater minds than mine have prevailed. Good Luck!
Just another waste of tax payer money-every time I've driven through Ossining, those bike racks are 100% full- meaning no one is using them.
I lived in Paris for many years and we had Bikeshare there, and so do many major cities around the world. The fact that the racks are full does NOT—repeat, NOT—mean that no one is using the bikes. The bikes can be picked up and dropped off at any hub, which means that a full rack can also represent the fact that people have dropped them off from elsewhere. In Paris and elsewhere, the constant flow of picking up and dropping off usually means that most racks have plenty of available bikes, which is part of how the system works. But part of most bikeshare systems is a mechanism for correcting imbalances in bike availability, eg transporting bikes from stations that have too many to those that don’t have enough. Such balancing is part of this program as well. It seems that some in Croton are not willing to give a chance to a program that has worked in many different communities and situations. Seeing everything through an ideological lens usually means clouding one’s vision.
Unfortunate that we didn’t take the opportunity to require helmets for power assisted bicycle riders and a 15 mph maximum assisted or independent speed. Typical of the mindless follow the pack mentality that we bring to local government. Abc M
See that is what happens when you jump the gun and do not read the whole article. Train station in, the bike shop is okay with it. So my apologies for my quick response which proved to be not quite right. I learned my lesson this is the last time I will respond without reading from beginning to end.
Thanks Mary. We all do that from time to time, and it’s a good lesson to remember to be fully informed before speaking or writing! I lived in Paris for 30 years, and we had a Velib (bikeshare) station in front of our apartment building the last 10 years we were there. All of the stations in Paris were about five minute walk away. That is probably not feasible in Croton, but I think the stations are very strategically placed. Len gave a good example of how you can grab a bike at the train station and then go to a number of key spots in the village, and then grab a bike again and return to the station. Lots of possibilities for those with open minds!
Yes, Michael and I've seen these and motorized scooters in cities like Seattle. But this isn't a major city like Paris where you have everything within blocks of one's home. This is a Village and things are more spread out and you need to travel to neighboring towns to get what you need. Additionally, my Ossining observation holds as I've never seen a single user on the streets on one of these bikes. We'll see though and thanks- enjoy the tet-a-tet.
And yet the stats from the pilot program Len cited show that the bikes were used. So your personal observations on the streets of Ossining are not a reliable source of data. Everyone in Croton knows that I do not hesitate to be critical of public officials in Croton, nor do I hesitate to publish the criticisms of others, but they have to be based on facts.
I would love to know who had the BRILLIANT idea to put one near Oneida and Riverside. Perhaps you can put the small owner of the bike store across the street out of business. And Maple Commons was another great idea and just where in front of the park or the sidewalk in front of the Commons where there is just about enough room to walk now. Why not the Croton train station so visitors would have access getting off the train. But who am I greater minds than mine have prevailed. Good Luck!
There will be a bike hub at the train station as Len's article indicates.