Boston Hubway
 

A few weeks ago, Boston launched its new "Hubway" system of rental bicycles. This is the same type of arrangement that European cities have had for a long time.

Official website

And, the bikes. I took this on a recent ride.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/...837a5484_b.jpg
Boston Hubway Bikes, Kenmore Square by a glass darkly2008, on Flickr

This station is pretty full, but another station, up in Allston, was nearly empty.

I haven't tried one. I'm told the bikes are on the heavy side. Not too fast, but fine
for their intended use. They even have a blinkie LED headlight that functions when the bike is being ridden.

I seem to remember Richard Ballantine writing about this, back in the early 70s. He stated that such a system was a dream of his. Well, his dream is being realized, albeit
a few decades later.

What say you?

Similar system in Washington DC. Two weeks ago we were there for a four day conference, and I noted (as I was drinking my morning coffee at a cafe table) eight of them go by within a 20 minute span. I'm guessing they're getting used. I like the idea.

I live about one block from the Kenmore station pictured. It seems like a cool system for casual and errand running, though I doubt I will ever use it, other than to just try it out. I wonder if they could do some thing like that for Segways?

I wonder what the LBS's think of this.

It's certain to take away business from them, as people start thinking why own a bike for a couple of rides a season when I can rent when I want?

Or.... it could get more people interested in cycling who then might want a "better" bike.

Have to agree with NOS88. Most of the hirers of these bikes will already be cyclists and "Some" of the other users will find they enjoy the sport and get into it.

London has this sort of scheme and It works. Bikes are basic- Get you from A to B and are a good cheap form of transport for many. They cover a large enough area in London and you can pick up a bike- cycle 5 miles and then End the hire at another station. Ideal for a commute and for the "Sightseeing" tourist.

I have heard of one cyclist that will not use his bike for his daily commute due to the problem of securing his own bike. He uses these bikes to get to his office from Victoria Railway station and no Security worries. End of the day and he gets a bike from his office back to the station.

We have that in both Montreal and Toronto http://www.bixi.ca/home . It's very popular in both cities.
I'm here in Montreal to attend a wedding and they're all over the place here.

There's a fantastic cycling culture here in Montreal. I wish I could be here to see the UCI sanctioned race here next month.
http://gpcqm.ca/en/gp-montreal-en/race-mtl/ on Sept 11.

Took my first ride in Boston this year and there was a dramatically higher number of cyclists out on the road. At least one third were on these bikes. There are now bike lanes everywhere. It was the safest I have felt while riding in Boston a town not previously known for bicycle safety. I was amazed at the change.

Denver, also

http://denver.bcycle.com/home.aspx

http://denver.bcycle.com/images/content/about.jpg
Other cities:

http://www.ourwebs.info/bcycle.jpg

With a retail cost of $4500 plus the need for recharging and insurance,I doubt the rental price would be practical.

Marc

Similar systems are being installed in cities all over,I haven't heard of any complaints from bike stores.

Marc

I would guess maybe allot of the renters are tourists? Maybe cyclists that do not have their bikes at that location, or just people who want to see the sights that you see while doing the slow relaxed pace of cycling? (most of the time slow and relaxed) LOL

Dayton recently launched a similar program.

http://www.cityofdayton.org/Document...kes_Dayton.pdf

Well, I guess it could go either way.

Get more people interested and eventually they buy their own bike, or, it draws people away from owning a bike. Maybe it's to soon to see how it will go.

But if your the LBS with the maintanance contract for these bikes, well, then, it's a score for that LBS!

You can not bring your bike into the city on public transportation during commute time ( unless it is a folder ).

Strange that!!

All of our buses have bike racks in the front of the bus holding 2 bikes with no limitations, Ditto for the light rail system