tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536492701084612733.post1980522707363927655..comments2023-05-20T07:19:51.660-04:00Comments on The Bike-sharing Blog: East Coast/West Coast - August is Bike-sharing Demo Month in the USAPaul DeMaiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15311271083094779653noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536492701084612733.post-85142010362084430592009-08-26T11:29:09.267-04:002009-08-26T11:29:09.267-04:00B-cycle's cable lock is not part of the dockin...B-cycle's cable lock is not part of the docking system. It's only there to allow the rider to temporarily lock the bike up while he/she stops for coffee, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536492701084612733.post-47584961887033896762009-08-04T13:55:10.836-04:002009-08-04T13:55:10.836-04:00There don't seem to be too many capable or int...There don't seem to be too many capable or interested companies. The only serious contenders at any of these public demos seem to be Bixi, Bcycle, and Samba. The rest appear to be too small and inexperienced. Then of the three contenders, only Bixi seems to have created a robust bike and station that can withstand heavy use and abuse. Bcycle and Samba don't seem to have learned from Velib's experience that you need a really strong bike, a good locking system and an efficient smartcard system. Both of their bikes just look flimsy with inadequate locks. Samba even has a regular derailleur on their bike which would fall apart in no time.<br /><br />As Bixi showed, the key is in keeping repairs and theft down to a minimum so that the operation can be covered through user fees.<br /><br />Herb<br />ibiketo.caAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com