http://www.fz2878.com/blogger/blog7.php?disp=comments en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:00:07 +0000 BikeListener [Visitor] c52@http://www.fz2878.com/blogger/ William:<br /> <br /> You have an interesting point of view on bike sharing in the U.S., and on the surface it would appear to be spot on. I do, however, believe that the U.S. is on the cusp of engaging and promoting bike sharing. Let me explain. If you were to create an RSS on bike sharing, I think you will see the momentum building throughout the U.S. for bring bike sharing into communities, universities, and municipalities. This desire is driven by need (congestion, and what was high fuel prices); it is environmentally sound (folks want to jump on the 'green' wagon); and it has a healthy connotation (obesity quite high in the U.S.).<br /> <br /> The challenge that this folks have is a)building a bike friendly infrastructure (although many excellent bike friendly communities exist) and b) how to fund such a venture - ad revenue generation that works so well in European models may not (and in some cases cannot due to size of cities) simply will not work outside large metropolitan areas. The last point, regarding the litigious society in the U.S. is valid. It can and will take courage on behalf of U.S. cities to either invoke their sovereign immunity, or have access to insurance to cover the cyclists - the latter is gaining traction.<br /> <br /> Stay tuned throughout 2009 to see how bike-sharing begins taking shape in the U.S.; I think you may be surprised. I also predict, that it will grow exponentially over the next 5-years where we the U.S. could even surpass all of Europe through their bike-sharing programs and bike infrastructure improvements. Time will tell....
You have an interesting point of view on bike sharing in the U.S., and on the surface it would appear to be spot on. I do, however, believe that the U.S. is on the cusp of engaging and promoting bike sharing. Let me explain. If you were to create an RSS on bike sharing, I think you will see the momentum building throughout the U.S. for bring bike sharing into communities, universities, and municipalities. This desire is driven by need (congestion, and what was high fuel prices); it is environmentally sound (folks want to jump on the 'green' wagon); and it has a healthy connotation (obesity quite high in the U.S.).

The challenge that this folks have is a)building a bike friendly infrastructure (although many excellent bike friendly communities exist) and b) how to fund such a venture - ad revenue generation that works so well in European models may not (and in some cases cannot due to size of cities) simply will not work outside large metropolitan areas. The last point, regarding the litigious society in the U.S. is valid. It can and will take courage on behalf of U.S. cities to either invoke their sovereign immunity, or have access to insurance to cover the cyclists - the latter is gaining traction.

Stay tuned throughout 2009 to see how bike-sharing begins taking shape in the U.S.; I think you may be surprised. I also predict, that it will grow exponentially over the next 5-years where we the U.S. could even surpass all of Europe through their bike-sharing programs and bike infrastructure improvements. Time will tell....]]> http://www.fz2878.com/blogger/blog7.php/2008/12/16/can-a-bike-sharing-program-work-in-the-u-1#c52