Bixi bike share program launches today

[killer peaches]

Any of you paid the $95 yearly fee?. I am thinking of doing it. Any feebacks from the members here?.

http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110503/110503_bixi/20110503/?hub=CP24Home

 

[Maquis47]

For $95 a year you can pick and drop any bike from their locations as many times as you want?.

 

[Wendy b]

I think it's a great idea but the 30 minute time limit is BS. what can you do in the city in 30 minutes? Hell you can't even go back and forth to the grocery store in that time let alone buy anything.

Once more a great idea that falls just short of making it practical or useful.

If I was going to create a program like this I think it would be better to have more locations with fewer bikes per location instead of large groups, in fewer locations. That would make it more practical if you could grab one just down the street, do your errands, then return it close to home. Kind of like the carshare (which is an awesome idea).

I think to expand on this idea would be to install these outlets in downtown condos. That was, you can grab one right at home, do your errands and return home.

I like the idea of separated bike lanes (with curbs) but I think the whole idea of reducing vehicle lanes and adding bike lanes is 100% ludicrous. I cite the example of eastern avenue: they reduced dundas to 1 lane in each direction, and eastern by 1 in each direction but only for about 8 blocks. So you have a major thoroughfare 4 lanes wide, reduced to two for 8 blocks, then back to 4. Retarded to the extreme. Plus I used it all the time and I could count on 1 hand the number of cyclists I saw using the lanes......

Plus, how many people do you see riding their bikes in January? (other than druggies and rubbies I mean?) I seriously can't see Ms Legal Secretary, dressed in her $1200 designer pantsuit riding to the office on bay street when it is minus 25 out and snowing or freezing rain......

 

[sweetest]

I thought it was a great idea until you mentioned it has a 30 minute limit. What happens if you go over the 30 minutes?. They charge your credit card?.

 

[oden13]

lol they send the bixi police after you lol.......

No, I know, the front wheel locks up and you go flying over the handlebars hehehehe (kind of like those shopping carts at sobey's).

 

[kralwons]

 

[LadyRavnos]

From the site

"Twenty-four-hour passes for $5 and 72-hour pass for $12, plus tax, are also available."


As an avid cyclist I would use this bike share in a heart beat. Whenever I ride I go only go for a cardio work out and never to run errands as I am always scared of leaving one of my beloved bikes locked up in public in fear that it will be stolen.

 

[Timbo is here]

I read that too and it kind of contradicts the 30 minute time limit. I have a suspicion that you pay the $95.00 a year and that entitles you to as many 30 minute stints as you want, or you pay $12.00 for a one time 72 hrs stint.

Ok, here's the pricing chart from the site. I am correct, you pay the subscription fee and it entitles you for as many 45 minute stints as you want. If you want longer stints you have to pay extra.

But seriously, if you're using a bike for exercise, for about double the yearly subscription, you can own the bike. I mean if you're in a tiny apartment and don't have room to store one, I can see the point but if you have the space, why not have one on hand to use whenever you want as opposed to having to go somewhere, get it, then return it to that place, then return home. Kind of seems like a hassle to me.

I wonder, if you get a flat while on the rental, do they send someone out to fix it? Are you responsible for the repairs if you return it with a flat? Say you get into an accident and the bike gets trashed, do you forfeit your $250.00 deposit?

 

[Bornfree]

LOL - I live in a smallish two bedroom condo and have 3 bikes here - a mountain bike, a hybrid and a folding bike. My hallway looks like a repair shop. Like I said before, I am an avid cyclist...

I would assume it would be like AutoShare where the company takes care of any repairs and you just report them as they happen. My wonder is what happens if the bike get stolen? A friend told me that he has had six bikes taken in two years.

On a side note, why hasn't a bike manufacturer come up with a bike that has a built in GPS unit in the frame so if it is stolen one can track it down?

 

[Neha R]

LOL yeah, you do have your hands full now.....

As for locators, it's called a lojack and for guys like CG, I would think he'd install one.....(since his is rather pricey). I think you'd have to pay attention to the power supply though because in a car, they have a charging system to keep it topped up.

As for your friend who had 6 stolen, did he ever consider investing in this new piece of technology...called a "lock"? lol.......

This sort of reminds me of a buddy who was living with a woman and her son lost 3 bikes in one school year. they bought a new lock each time. They asked him: are you locking it up when you get to school? Oh yeah he said. So the last time they bought one of those high tech kryptonite ones that you have to have a plasma cutter to get through. Then one morning they left for work as per usual but went to the school and watched him ride up. Sure enough, he didn't bother to lock it.....needless to say he didn't ride his bike to school anymore. I said "you should have taken it" lol.....

 

[smifty]

Ever since I had my own Trek and my son's Raleigh stolen from the garage, I am very sensitive to bike theft. I live a quiet little neighbourhood full of "leave it to beaver" types, or so I thought. For someone to enter the garage and steal $2000 worth of bikes is very brazen to say the least. NOW I have kryptonite locks on all our bikes, INSIDE the garage.

As you point out a GPS system would only work with a reliable power supply. And as with the case of cars, as soon as it is developed by some brilliant cycling geek, another equally brilliant bike theft geek, will figure out a way to circumvent the technology.

As for the Bixi rental- good idea while traveling... But again mainly for short term rides. For a long haul ride, I would get PO'd if it wasn't my specially fitted and highly specialized TREK.

 

[Nuala]

The thing about a built in lojack is that you'd hide it inside a down tube so that the thief wouldn't know it was there unless they started disassembling the bike.....(kind of like that electric motor thingy that racer was using).