Texasota Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Interesting that you mentioned that "The cost IS an issue for people whose only option is to cycle to work" as a negative about bike share and are now suggesting charging a fee for bike parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerNut Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 18 hours ago, BEES?! said: I do agree we should be installing more bike parking etc. though, for people’s private bikes. It would be really cool to see something like what they have in Tokyo. Though we’re more security-conscious so that would be a tough sell in the US. We don’t even really do coin lockers anymore :/ Or something like this. https://www.ooneepod.com/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8976258,-77.0073467,3a,75y,269.34h,88.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPxxfOjrU5tUSQp_rHjXC1w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chempku Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 11 hours ago, Texasota said: Interesting that you mentioned that "The cost IS an issue for people whose only option is to cycle to work" as a negative about bike share and are now suggesting charging a fee for bike parking. The profiles for cyclists can be more diverse than the profiles for drivers. The needs for cyclists can also be quite diverse. When I say charging a fee for bike parking, I am under the context of how to potentially gather data for private bike parking. A fee could be required to fund tracking and related infrastructure, even if it is only attractive to a small group of users, it's still possible to apply statistics to draw some conclusions about entire cyclist population. When I say cost can be an issue for docked bike-share, I was saying it can be the challenge to scale cheaply, to become an mainstream commute option in cities like Houston. Being attractive to a small group of users may not be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 On 1/12/2023 at 5:08 PM, chempku said: Compared to privately-owned bicycles, docked bike sharing programs like BCycle will be less cost effective for mainstream use. The policy makers should prioritize efforts make it easier for cyclists to use their own bicycles, rather than expanding the docked bike sharing programs. Why not do both (as we have indeed been doing)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 I'm not sure how to take this. Is this a good thing or bad thing? https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/BCycle-Houston-bike-share-program-short-trips-17723037.php 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chempku Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 37 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said: I'm not sure how to take this. Is this a good thing or bad thing? https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/BCycle-Houston-bike-share-program-short-trips-17723037.php Looks good. Other bike sharing programs like citibike thrive when they work well with public transpotation. I am glad the officials clearly know the limitations of docked bike sharing. As reported: ”The existing system is used mostly recreationally, bike sharing officials have said, with locations such as Herman Park and Buffalo Bayou Park along Sabine Street as the most heavily-used stations. “ "Metro’s chief financial officer, said the current system, when fully operational, costs about $80,000 a month, with only a fraction of that coming from the rental costs or annual memberships." "To trim costs, 75 of the 153 kiosks were turned off in November, largely reducing the system to its core around downtown, Midtown and Montrose." For those who posted in this forum arguing if BCycle can be used cost-effectively as a mainstream commute option, this is a good read. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 Just now, chempku said: Looks good. Other bike sharing programs like citibike thrive when they work well with public transpotation. I am glad the officials clearly know the limitations of docked bike sharing. As reported: ”The existing system is used mostly recreationally, bike sharing officials have said, with locations such as Herman Park and Buffalo Bayou Park along Sabine Street as the most heavily-used stations. “ "Metro’s chief financial officer, said the current system, when fully operational, costs about $80,000 a month, with only a fraction of that coming from the rental costs or annual memberships." "To trim costs, 75 of the 153 kiosks were turned off in November, largely reducing the system to its core around downtown, Midtown and Montrose." For those who posted in this forum arguing if BCycle can be used cost-effectively as a mainstream commute option, this is a good read. I guess my only fear is how much they are going to cut the system down. Right now about half the stations are shut down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chempku Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 2 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said: I guess my only fear is how much they are going to cut the system down. Right now about half the stations are shut down. If they would redirect the fund to improve multimodal transit in other more efficient ways, I'd be glad. If article summarized the numbers correctly, that's $80 per bike per month, or nearly $1k per bike per year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Welling Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 I watched the Capital Planning Committee Meeting. It does not appear METRO would cut any stations at the moment. The presentation focused on how METRO could use Bcycle as an outlet for first/last mile connections with their riders. Now it could change, but I believe this a great thing for Bcycle. They obviously need help (the current 70 station shutdown must be addressed), and METRO can give them the necessary help. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
004n063 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 In terms of regular commuting, it really only works when the stations are really densely packed together and there is a good network of safe bike routes. Right now, the most used stations are located closest to the safest bike infrastructure, most of which is currently more geared (heh) toward recreation than commuting. To that end, I would be cautious about the "equitability" approach. Bikeable neighborhoods like 3rd Ward and 2nd Ward should absolutely be more highly served by BCycle. But 5th Ward, Northside Village, etc. should prioritize the infrastructure first, in my opinion. I also think that a Metro takeover could be particularly beneficial if they improved and streamlined the fare system. Maybe a $5 day pass can get you unlimited transit rides and unlimited 30min BCycle rides? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEES?! Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Oh dang, you beat me to it! This was on their board meeting the other day and I was fixing to post it, haha! I think this will probably shape up to be a good thing, tbh. Metro seems pretty competent overall IMO and them taking over bike sharing and refocusing it as a first and last mile solution to work in tandem with the overall transit system sound really reasonable. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcresMansions Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I think Bcycle was doing okay, but I'm excited as this could lead to more Bcycle stations outside of the loop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerNut Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Houston BCycle set to raise prices, close more stations as bike sharing transitions to Metro Quote The nonprofit that operates the BCycle system of bikes available for checkout at kiosks around the city, “has been unable to complete a partnership agreement,” with Metropolitan Transit Authority, bike share board chairwoman and interim CEO Maya Ford said in an update. Specifically, Ford said Metro has confirmed it would not provide any of the $500,000 transit officials approved to transition bike sharing into the transit agency’s operations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 (edited) Ugh what a stupid mess. This should all have been clear when the agreement was made, and airing it in public like this is a *bad* sign. Edited April 13 by Texasota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Welling Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 hmm the title of the article is confusing. It sounds like METRO and BCycle are no longer in agreements. So it is not really a transition to METRO, but it is how the nonprofit is able to survive with not being able to reach an agreement with METRO. "The nonprofit that operates the BCycle system of bikes available for checkout at kiosks around the city, “has been unable to complete a partnership agreement,” with Metropolitan Transit Authority, bike share board chairwoman and interim CEO Maya Ford said in an update. Specifically, Ford said Metro has confirmed it would not provide any of the $500,000 transit officials approved to transition bike sharing into the transit agency’s operations." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 (edited) WTF!? I read the article and I'm amazed at the disconnect between the two groups. In my opinion this falls on METRO not properly communicating it's intentions. Bike and transit officials, however, have different views of what the agreement, and the $500,000, were meant to do. “Our intent has been to work with Houston Bike Share on a transitional window as Metro creates a bike sharing program, and not simply hand over $500,000,” Metro spokesman Jerome Gray said in an email. The first step in Metro paying for anything or reimbursing the nonprofit is having an agreement and the proper paperwork in place, Ramabhadran said, noting that Metro's taxpayer-generated money comes with a lot of conditions. "We have to dot the I's and cross the T's," he said. "We cannot just hand over taxpayer money. It is not a blank check." Metro officials say they still are assessing the system and developing a plan for the new bike share program. Officials have said the aim, once it is a part of Metro, is to provide convenient connections to transit or small trips between where someone can easily walk and the choice of driving or transit. "By no means is this conversation closed," Ramabhadran said of the partnership with Houston Bike Share, including Metro covering some costs or assuming responsibility for some operations. "But it has to work within the limitations of what a public agency can do." Edited April 14 by j_cuevas713 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 "Four formerly suspended BCycle stations are back in use in Houston's Midtown area following a partnership between Houston Bike Share—the nonprofit that operates Houston BCycle—and the Midtown Management District. The stations are located at the following locations: Milam Street at Webster Street Ensemble/Houston Community College rail stop Austin Street at Gray Street La Branch Street at Alabama Street BCycle officials first announced the stations were back in operation at the end of March. As part of the agreement, the Midtown Management District has agreed to provide $7,500 in quarterly funding to keep the stations running in 90-day intervals." https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/transportation/2023/04/13/4-suspended-bcycle-stations-reactivated-following-financial-support-from-midtown-district/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Ewert Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 BCycle has 150 stations, great branding, an awesome social media presence, and a proven track record. Metro is going to take 43 years to extend a light rail line to the airport. So yeah, obviously, let's definitely make Metro in charge of all the public bikes in the city. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerNut Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 If you're broke none of that matters. Moving forward they should focus on last mile connections inside the loop and busy biking areas(Memorial park and Buffalo Bayou). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 On 4/20/2023 at 12:16 PM, Andrew Ewert said: BCycle has 150 stations, great branding, an awesome social media presence, and a proven track record. Metro is going to take 43 years to extend a light rail line to the airport. So yeah, obviously, let's definitely make Metro in charge of all the public bikes in the city. BCycle's "proven track record" apparently includes running out of money and having to close down much of the system, so . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
004n063 Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 3 hours ago, Houston19514 said: BCycle's "proven track record" apparently includes running out of money and having to close down much of the system, so . . . For real. BCycle and Metro are mutual gap-closers; a partnership makes sense. I'm also not nearly as down on Metro as that commenter. The two BRT lines on tap are impressive in scope and have transformative potential. But even a successful realization of the full slate of MetroNEXT projects will require quality last-mile solutions. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Welling Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 (edited) We have to shut down BCycle. It breaks our hearts. (Opinion) (houstonchronicle.com) "At Houston Bike Share, the nonprofit agency that runs the BCycle system, we’ve been working to find new funding for more than a year. We’ve made tough decisions, suspending stations and raising prices. And now, in the face of a major cash crunch, we plan to shut down the operation completely in the next two months." Article goes into more depth on the success they saw over the years and how they really propelled Houstonians to adopt bikeshare as a mode of recreation and transport. Unfortunately, they were not able to remain profitable as funds and donation terms ended. Very sad to say the least to hear that the end is near for them. Edited September 15 by Justin Welling 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 On 4/20/2023 at 12:16 PM, Andrew Ewert said: BCycle has 150 stations, great branding, an awesome social media presence, and a proven track record. Metro is going to take 43 years to extend a light rail line to the airport. So yeah, obviously, let's definitely make Metro in charge of all the public bikes in the city. Sounds like BCycle couldn't survive without heavy subsidization. In that case putting a government agency like Metro in charge is going to be the only way it will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbs315 Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Houston BCycle will soon shutter with lack of funding https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/09/19/houston-bcycle-bike-share Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapo2367 Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Sad news, hopefully this can be restarted if the funding appears. Also we need to change this title -- I keep thinking there is good news and then I read the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1363 Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 3 hours ago, sapo2367 said: Sad news, hopefully this can be restarted if the funding appears. Also we need to change this title -- I keep thinking there is good news and then I read the post. Yeah, even the new LynnWyattSquare.com website lists BCycle as a transportation option… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 Mayor just announced at city council that they would be proposing $500k in funding next week to BCycle to bridge a gap of METRO taking over. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/metro-bike-share-system-bcycle-18381048.php "A new set of shared bikes could be poised for Houston sidewalks, as Metro officials consider a $10.6 million integration of as-needed cycling into the transit system, starting with 20 stations in early 2024. The proposal, scheduled for approval next Thursday by the Metropolitan Transit Authority board, would approve a three-year deal with PBSC Urban Solutions, with two annual extensions. The aim is to use cycling either to connect to places within biking distance or to access frequent transit, Metro CEO Tom Lambert said. Though costs are not finalized, the plan would be to charge a price for the bikes similar to the buses and trains, where a person pays $1.25 for a three-hour block of time. “If you are starting with a bike and going to a bus, that is one trip,” Lambert said." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerNut Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 https://houstonlanding.org/metro-looking-to-contract-with-canadian-operator-to-build-its-own-bike-share-program/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted Wednesday at 04:57 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 04:57 PM https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/houston-bike-sharing-bcycle-500k-18391859.php "Houston’s floundering bike sharing system has a little more life, after city officials approved $500,000 to keep the system operational, at least until a new system for checking out bicycles is in place. “There are a lot of people who use the service and we don’t want them to lose the service,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. City Council approved the money Wednesday from Houston’s general fund, aimed at giving the nonprofit Houston Bike Share a few more months of funding to keep roughly 60 kiosks and the bikes held there operational. Houston’s planning department will work with the nonprofit to decide how the money will be spent and formalize an agreement with the nonprofit." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbs315 Posted Wednesday at 09:58 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 09:58 PM I "won" a lifetime membership with BCycle last "Tour de BCycle." I will miss it. I would be thrilled for Metro's development but they're all e-bikes and I use the system for exercise. Maybe it's time to buy a bike...maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerNut Posted yesterday at 02:51 AM Share Posted yesterday at 02:51 AM 3 hours ago, corbs315 said: I "won" a lifetime membership with BCycle last "Tour de BCycle." I will miss it. I would be thrilled for Metro's development but they're all e-bikes and I use the system for exercise. Maybe it's time to buy a bike...maybe. Myself and I believe another HAIFer also got lifetime memberships last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbs315 Posted yesterday at 01:24 PM Share Posted yesterday at 01:24 PM 10 hours ago, BeerNut said: Myself and I believe another HAIFer also got lifetime memberships last year. Causation and correlation and all that but I sure hope it doesn't mean we're done for when they shutter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted 55 minutes ago Share Posted 55 minutes ago Quote Houston Metro approves $10 million to launch its own bike share program The new program comes after city officials voted Wednesday to keep the current program, BCycle, afloat. https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-metro-approves-bike-share-18395316.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.