TransLink to examine public bikes for Metro by 2010

[raggedy13]

TransLink to examine public bikes

Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2007

METRO VANCOUVER - TransLink will investigate setting up a public bike rental system in Metro Vancouver by 2010, following the lead of cities in France, Quebec and the U.S.

The motion, put forward by TransLink board member and Vancouver city councillor Peter Ladner last week, could see public bicycles placed in areas like downtown Vancouver and New Westminster.

Ladner said he's particularly impressed by the model used in Lyon, where vehicle traffic has dropped by four per cent and bicycle use has tripled since the program began in May 2005. For a nominal registration fee, Lyon residents are able to use the bikes free for a half hour, after which they are charged for their use.

After reading about the success of that program and a similar one in Paris, Ladner decided it would be a good fit for Metro Vancouver. "We're trying to add transportation choice and reduce greenhouse gases," he said.

Similar projects are being explored in Montreal, Portland and Chicago.

crolfsen@png.canwest.com


© The Vancouver Sun 2007

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Sounds like a great idea to me. I've seen similar systems in other cities but never tried them out. I think I would definitely make use of it if I was trying to get from one point in downtown to another in a hurry.

[djh]

Originally Posted by raggedy13

TransLink to examine public bikes

Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2007

METRO VANCOUVER - TransLink will investigate setting up a public bike rental system in Metro Vancouver by 2010, following the lead of cities in France, Quebec and the U.S.

The motion, put forward by TransLink board member and Vancouver city councillor Peter Ladner last week, could see public bicycles placed in areas like downtown Vancouver and New Westminster.

Ladner said he's particularly impressed by the model used in Lyon, where vehicle traffic has dropped by four per cent and bicycle use has tripled since the program began in May 2005. For a nominal registration fee, Lyon residents are able to use the bikes free for a half hour, after which they are charged for their use.

After reading about the success of that program and a similar one in Paris, Ladner decided it would be a good fit for Metro Vancouver. "We're trying to add transportation choice and reduce greenhouse gases," he said.

Similar projects are being explored in Montreal, Portland and Chicago.

crolfsen@png.canwest.com


© The Vancouver Sun 2007

---------------------------------------------

Sounds like a great idea to me. I've seen similar systems in other cities but never tried them out. I think I would definitely make use of it if I was trying to get from one point in downtown to another in a hurry.

I dunno. I hear all the politicians jumping up and down to implement ideas, that reduce traffic by FOUR PERCENT. How much money, time effort, how many consultants will be hired, how many reports written, how many emails sent, how many hours wasted in debate at council, how many partisan mud-slinging arguments at sub-sub-committees, all in order to save us FOUR PERCENT? And will we really notice the difference?

All of that energy should just go towards building a RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM. Once the roads are clear of so many cars, all these small and expensive initiatives will be a moot point. I bet it takes the same number of studies, committees, debates, public forums and so on to build a transit line as it does to add bicycles. Yeah, it costs a lot more, but geez, add up all these little initiatives and all the casts of thousands employed to study the obvious...we're probably not far off

[djh]

Next Study: Translink and the City of Vancouver to study the value of walking faster by 4%.
The City of Vancouver has hired 35 local, national and international consultancy firms to analyse the health benefits of walking 4% faster. The results will be released in 2010 in a gigantic, cross-media, high-profile report, hopefully in time for the Olympics. The cross-study with VGH, UBC, St. Pauls, the IOC, the Port of Vancouver, Rick Hansen, Canadian Cancer Society, the DTES, Bob Rennie, the Outside Workers Union, COPE, NPA, BC Liberals, the New Federal Government, the city of Seattle, Concord Pacific and Weyerhauser has been officially launched today with a series of PR launches at several Vancouver high-end venues that are looking to raise their profile by being attached to the project. Consultants will be visiting 44 mayor world cities to see how walking is done.

The results will be collated into a giant 5,700-page study that will be distributed free to all Vancouver residents as a "pull-out" supplement in the Georgia Straight and the WestEnder. It will be printed on recycled paper to meet the city's ecoFriendly goals, courtesy of some high-profile sponsorship by the paper supplier. At that stage, more consultants will be hired to review the results of the study, and public consultations and a long long list of public open houses will begin in 2024.
"This is a good thing" chirped the mayor of Vancouver in his daily press release. "We are involving all of our public stakeholders, and I will have a legacy for when I run for mayor again"
"This the the perfect opportunity for a public, private partnership" added the premier.
"The new government of Canada will re-re-review all results and extend the permit for another 6 months or until an election call" responded the federal minister.
"This process is yet another example of our government cutting out the poor in our city/province/country, and only giving jobs to their creme-de-la-creme friends [and not our friends]" chimed the opposition in unison.
"We're pleased to have our name tied to this huge megaproject" smiled the sponsors, as they stood beneath a banner with their company logos for the press call.
"Real estate in this city is so cheap, the only way is up, and on the international stage this is going to put us on the World Class map in time for the Olympics" said Rennie.
"We have yet to issue a statement on the pros and cons of this initiative and will respond in due course" said the representatives for the car companies.

It is not clear what the end purpose of this study will be, except to keep a very large number of executives in work shuffling paper.

[twoNeurons]

:lol: That was awesome.

[mr.x]

walking faster???

*blinks*

[The_Henry_Man]

This may be a good intention to find alternative kinds of transportation, but this will not work well in Metro Vancouver. Think about it, how many months per year would significant numbers of people actually consider riding a bike during a typical year? Besides the months of June, July and August, the rest of the year is either raining, snowing, or windstorms. Would people even want to ride a bike in these conditions?? Most of us would rather drive or take a bus/Skytrain. I'm afraid that this is mostly catered to the biking enthusiasts and environmentalists, who would be willing to ride bikes for the entire year.

Overall, as others here have said, Translink should spend more of this money towards expanding the Skytrain and the commuter rail system. This proposed project is nothing but a waste of money. Translink needs to remind themselves that not every Euro-style elements of urban planning will work in North America and they should stop being an Euro-wannabe.

[Nutterbug]

Originally Posted by The_Henry_Man

Translink needs to remind themselves that not every Euro-style elements of urban planning will work in North America and they should stop being an Euro-wannabe.

Because North Americans aren't as smart or as socially conscientious as the Europeans?

[CrooklynDodger]

What a waste of money.