I still don't get it. I mean, I see who would use it, but i still think its kinda nuts to target such a tiny demographic. I know a few (5) people in living spaces less than 800 sq feet and they all own their own bike(s). Plus, as pointed out, several of the stations are in high tourism areas - which would indicate targeting that demographic. Its pretty non-intrusive, so, I say go for it if that's what they want to do, I just don't get it. People seem to want trolleys and passenger trains that hardly anyone rides, so why not bikes too. Its all good.

I'm thinking it might not be something you should particpate in.

Someone should open a backpack store beside the racks. In OKC most don't use backpacks, but would find them handy for spontaneous biking.

I see the use for someone who is downtown and needs to get to another nearby location but doesn't want to use a taxi (as, if you can find one when and where you need it) and the distance is less than what you would want to get your car out of the parking garage for, or if you don't have a car downtown. Seems like bike commuters would have their own and not want to rely on the system. Tourists aren't going to - try getting grandma to go along. But as a temporary point to point solution it will be great.

I carry one when I do business or tour in the major cities..is much easier than a briefcase. Business people tend to carry them and put their work shoes in them and wear walking shoes to walk or bike to work if they don't take public transportation. They have leg straps with them for their slacks for the biking.

I think biking, hiking, etc. in the urban area requires a major style change and it will take awhile here. It is a small, small group that engages in the lifestyle here, and it will take time to catch on. We are just babies in this urban lifestyle world. Not only is the government having to learn, so are the people. You don't just wake up one day and are "urban".

One of the first things my wife bought for herself when we moved to Seattle. Everyone carries one.

Just make sure you get one with some kind of thermal liner. I took a ride over to Chik-fil-a the other day and grabed my son's backpack to put the food in. It burned my back all the way home.

What do you think the hourly rate should be?

$1 an hour, this is a public service from a non-profit aka city government, not a for profit venture.

if you think you are going to use it a bunch you pay 75 and have as many point to point rides as you would want all year

But what if I only want to use it 1-2 times a month, it's not worth $5 to be able to ride it to Bricktown for lunch. Remind you this is a city service, not a for profit tourism business.

I'm thinking it might not be something you should particpate in.

Yeah, I'm usuall with Bates, but he clearly doesn't get this one.

I agree with that also. This will get very little casual ridership.

Yeah, I'm usuall with Bates, but he clearly doesn't get this one.

From reading your replies, i actually think we're pretty close on this one. I have zero issue with the service in general and actually initially planned to take part. Its the implementation that has me perplexed (station locations and cost). Both of which I think are wrong for a public/city service. But, maybe some 'get fit OKC' group will sponsor them instead of sponsoring the trolleys and reduce the fare to say $1 or even free!

I could go with free. I don't mind the lost bike fee or registering in advance, or even a fee after 30 minutes - but annual membership should be free.

http://www.news9.com/story/17151594/rental-bicycle-program-to-start-in-downtown-okc-in-may

Either it is useful and worth something or it isn't worth anything.

Either it is useful and worth something or it isn't worth anything.

It cost $300,000 to implement. How about the new I-40 - it's free to use. Why do they make the bike riders pay but the cars get to drive on the road for free?

http://www.news9.com/story/17151594/rental-bicycle-program-to-start-in-downtown-okc-in-may

what poor journalism! They clearly don't understand the purpose, nor give better case studies from other cities and Why they use it in DT and dense areas. They even said Bricktown, in which there are no racks there.

It cost $300,000 to implement. How about the new I-40 - it's free to use. Why do they make the bike riders pay but the cars get to drive on the road for free?

Just maybe because virtually everyone has a car and drives. Duh. And we pay for our own cars, pay gasoline taxes and for license plates.. Sometimes you just try too hard.

Why do they make the bike riders pay but the cars get to drive on the road for free?

Motorists pay fuel taxes, excise taxes and registration fees, plus the cost to own, lease or rent a car. Those ain't free.

I was directly addressing the "value" comment from Rover.

And I stand by my statement. If people see any value they will pay. If not, they won't. The idea that it has to be free to be used is what I was addressing. If the city gives use away for a short period of time so as to get people to try it and to find out if they are willing to pay for it, great. Long term and permanent free use means there isn't enough perception of value to make it work.

No city service is truly free. But there are certainly services/amenities that are provided by the city that many people do not actually take into account they are paying for but do value.

No city service is truly free. But there are certainly services/amenities that are provided by the city that many people do not actually take into account they are paying for but do value.

the key to this is that the city doesn't need extra expenses .... the capital costs were mostly funded by a grant ... and if the city can have a revenue system on the operations side ..it makes this a great deal ..

it is simple ..it will work with the cost structure or it won't ........ IMHO it is a great deal and i will get one of the passes for 75 bucks

This is a coup. For them to not orient the rack locations to the streetcar route shows you what is thought about the streetcar among the people calling the shots behind Downtown OKC Inc.

Naw. It has little to do with them. I personally met with Jennifer Gooden and we "toured" the streetcar route extensively. She would like nothing more than for the stations to be incorporated into streetcar stops. In fact, she pointed out that co-branding/marketing would be beneficial in helping develop a comprehensive pedestrian assistance system.

However, it is simply a timing issue. It is a also a spacial issue. The stops need to have the appropriate space for the size racks needed based on the demand of the location.

In a nutshell, this year's program is a "trial run" and she hope that more stations will be added. Some of those stations could be possibly incorporated into the streetcar program stop design costs- depending on how our costs are.

Naw. It has little to do with them. I personally met with Jennifer Gooden and we "toured" the streetcar route extensively. She would like nothing more than for the stations to be incorporated into streetcar stops. In fact, she pointed out that co-branding/marketing would be beneficial in helping develop a comprehensive pedestrian assistance system.

However, it is simply a timing issue. It is a also a spacial issue. The stops need to have the appropriate space for the size racks needed based on the demand of the location.

In a nutshell, this year's program is a "trial run" and she hope that more stations will be added. Some of those stations could be possibly incorporated into the streetcar program stop design costs- depending on how our costs are.

also .. it should be noted that all the rack locations are within a block of likely street car stops

The streetcar is still several years away and I am not sure anyone knows how 'set in stone' the current route is - especially considering the recent news around the bridges at Sheriden and Reno and built in ridership in Deep Deuce and East Bricktown. I am sure moving bike locations will be super easy when and if it becomes necessary.

Let's not mangle the thread, but the "current route" has had a dashed line, intentionally ambiguous, for us to resolve how to connect the southern portion of the system to the new CC, Park, Blvd. and Bricktown. The Robinson Broadway, 11th, 13th couplet is probably not going to change because of politics at this point. If it does change, it will because of costs associated with utilities. And yes, then we might have to look at alternative ways of serving the Core/Midtown depending on the designed impact zone and its overall impact to the program budget/said goals.

But we are not there yet. Right now, it is the intent of the committee to convey "our most desired" route to go into continued utility impact study and engineering to determine actual projected costs.

And again, moving and incorporating existing bike stations will have to do with their size and the room available at proposed stop locations.

I'm re-posting this information because I see the Bricktown Urban Design Committee has approved a site near the ballpark:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bikes.jpg


300 Park Ave: install bike share station of double-sided rack to accommodate 32 bike slots east of the main library entrance, approximately 57 feet from the south curb of Park Ave.; install bike share station of single-sided rack to accommodate 24 bike slots approximately 6 feet from curb on south side of Park Ave.
1 Myriad Gardens: install bike share station of double-sided rack to accommodate 16 bike slots
620 N Harvey Ave: install bike share station of double sided rack to accommodate 16 bike slots on the south side of NW 6th St adjacent to the west side of the Journal Record Building
301 N Walnut: install bike share station of two single sided racks to accommodate 8 slots per rack on east and west sides of sidewalk along N Walnut Ave at southeast corner of N Walnut and NE 2nd St
1100 N Classen Dr: install bike share station of one single-sided rack to accommodate 16 bike slots on the west side of N Walker Ave adjacent to the east side of the Plaza Court Building
2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive

got a little update yesterday ... and location 2 is on the SW corner of the cox .. robinson and reno ..

got a little update yesterday ... and location 2 is on the SE corner of the cox .. sheridan and reno ..

Sheridan and Reno don't intersect. SE corner of the Cox Center would be Reno & EKG but that can't be right.

got a little update yesterday ... and location 2 is on the SE corner of the cox .. sheridan and reno ..

That's odd now considering they just added the Bricktown location. Seems like the Myriad gardens across from Colcord, Devon, and near the Sheraton, and future convention center would be a better location.

Sheridan and Reno don't intersect. SE corner of the Cox Center would be Reno & EKG but that can't be right.

sorry pete they said SW corner of the cox .. at Robinson and Reno

Adding the Bricktown location sounds like Okctalk worked it's magic.

The issue will be identifying the early adopters and getting them using them...to be visible so others try it. I hope they have noticeable stands and signs (maybe small bright LED beacon) so they are obvious, and easy instructions at the point of use. Anyone seen any renderings of the actual stations? These need to be "sold", not just "available.

Also, what color will the bikes be?

I would suggest using the Okc Thunder Blue as the color.

There really needs to be a location somewhere between 8th & 10th on Broadway.

I still don't understand the omission of Auto Alley. Perhaps it's yet to come.

There really needs to be a location somewhere between 8th & 10th on Broadway.

I still don't understand the omission of Auto Alley. Perhaps it's yet to come.

I think they just don't have the money as of yet.

Downtown Denver has a similar program and it is really set up nice.

I looked into these programs a little more, and evidently the rack kiosks are modular so they can be added to or subtracted from depending on how ridership figures come out. I imagine that OKC is using the well-optioned bicycles, so they should have odometers and may even have GPS tracking so we can monitor where people want to go. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think these are cemented into the ground, so they can be moved quite easily?

I don't understand the comment about them being within a block of streetcar. The library is certainly not on the streetcar route. All of these locations are within 1 block of being spot-on it seems, but tweaking them just slightly could make a big difference--except for Bricktown, I think they definitely got that one right. Lots of space in front of the Ballpark that could use more pedestrian programming AND a great, iconic backdrop. Hard to beat that. But still think 1 and 2 are too close and 3 should be moved around to the other side of the Memorial, especially if they want to capture more casual tourist traffic.

But with their price table, maybe they don't want casual tourist traffic. I will also say that it seems pretty revolutionary to expect a system like this to achieve self-solvency. I think if OKC was doing this the same way Denver, DC, Madison, and other Bikeshare cities have and are, we'd get a system that DOES cost a little bit, but would be wildly more successful than any of us could dream. I really believe we could out-bike Denver and Minneapolis if we wanted to (well, maybe not Mpls). So we have to ask ourselves, do we want this to be majorly successful, or do we need it to pay for itself that badly?

We're talking $300,000. Maintenance costs $50/year/bike. So 100 bikes = $5,000/year in programming maintenance. This is a pretty dirt-cheap deal for an innovative transit system that could bring even more acclaim to OKC.

One of the highest cost associated with collecting a fee is actually collecting the fee and accounting for the money.

Maintenance costs $50/year/bike. So 100 bikes = $5,000/year in programming maintenance. This is a pretty dirt-cheap deal for an innovative transit system that could bring even more acclaim to OKC.

$50.00 per year to maintain a rental bike is entirely unrealistic, and this casts suspicion on every other cost estimate of the program. I'd like for this to be successful - defined by lots of use - but I don't want people later to feel that they were sold a program based upon fudged numbers. We have too much of that in government already.

$50.00 per year to maintain a rental bike is entirely unrealistic, and this casts suspicion on every other cost estimate of the program. I'd like for this to be successful - defined by lots of use - but I don't want people later to feel that they were sold a program based upon fudged numbers. We have too much of that in government already.

I would tend to agree. I own TREK bikes and only ride a few months of the year and my maintenance costs would be about $140 a year (two tune-ups a year, etc.) if I didn't have the Al's lifetime warranty. Even with that I still have to replace parts that are not covered and I won't put anywhere as many miles on my bike as these will hopefully see.

I have owned the same Huffy mountain bike for 18 years and I have spent a grand total $0 on maintenance - and it rides fine. Of course, I do know how to use a screwdriver to adjust my own brakes and gears and can air up my own tires.

on edit - i take that back. I ran over a thorn about 2 months ago and had to buy some patches - 5 for $4. Since I used one that is $0.80.

However, a rental bike will probably not be subject to the same care my personal bike is and my labor is free to me.

I have owned the same Huffy mountain bike for 18 years and I have spent a grand total $0 on maintenance - and it rides fine. Of course, I do know how to use a screwdriver to adjust my own breaks and gears and can air up my own tires.

on edit - i take that back. I ran over a thorn about 2 months ago and had to buy some patches - 5 for $4. Since I used one that is $0.80.

And? Unless they plan on having people tune the bikes themselves, it is going to cost money and I think $50/yr may be low. Also depends on the style of bikes. If we're talking cruiser types with few or no gears then those are easier to maintain.

Regardless, if you're asserting the typical maintenance cost should be $0 then you're being completely unrealistic. People will not treat these bikes as well as they would their own and they will be outside 24/7. I bet if you walk into any bike shop and tell them I plan to ride my bike several times a day, most of the year, and leave it outside and ask what the yearly maintenance will be - they would laugh at only $50/yr.

Sorry - I posted before I finished. I agree that the cost will be more than $50

And? Unless they plan on having people tune the bikes themselves, it is going to cost money and I think $50/yr may be low. Also depends on the style of bikes. If we're talking cruiser types with few or no gears then those are easier to maintain.

Regardless, if you're asserting the typical maintenance cost should be $0 then you're being completely unrealistic. People will not treat these bikes as well as they would their own and they will be outside 24/7. I bet if you walk into any bike shop and tell them I plan to ride my bike several times a day, most of the year, and leave it outside and ask what the yearly maintenance will be - they would laugh at only $50/yr.

I do most of my own maintenance on my bike and I can see costs being that low-and I do 6 to 10 miles a day in all weather. Remember that you're helping pay for the shop, not just the mechanic and the parts when you take it in to Al's or wherever. I'm a rank amateur and can clean and lube my drivetrain, replace and adjust brakes and adjust cable tension in a couple hours. A professional bike mechanic can turn it all around in little to no time.

Plus, from what I understand the Bixi bikes use a lot of low maintenance parts-Interally Geared Hubs and Hub brakes, cables are routed through the frame to avoid wear, etc. All that makes for a somewhat more expensive bike up front, but cheaper to maintain.

Personally, I hope this succeeds. It seems very similar to the Capitol Bike Share program in pricing, and that's proven to be quite successful. This is a self-interested hope, though. If this takes off, maybe there will be some impetus to improve our cycling infrastructure outside of the CBD. I'd love a bike lane or bridge somewhere over 235 near Britton.

I may have missed it, do we know the style of the bikes that will be used?

I may have missed it, do we know the style of the bikes that will be used?

You know, I thought I'd heard it was going to be a Bixi system. But now that I'm looking, I can't find anything on it and may have just made that up in my head.

http://road.cc/content/news/31222-third-londons-boris-bikes-repaired-first-six-months-only-3-totally-trashed

The link is to a story 13 months ago about London's rental bike program. London & OKC are apples & oranges - I get that - but it clearly demonstrates that the bikes will be subjected to a lot of hard use. Bikes in the Paris program were mentioned as even more harshly treated, with their entire fleet replaced in 18 months. Transport for London states that their maintenance costs have been "much less than feared," but neither the actual or budget figures were disclosed. Be sure to watch the YouTube video at the bottom for examples of kids popping wheelies, riding bikes down stairs, doing aerials, and crashing in half pipes.

We're not London or Paris, but $50.00 per bike for maintenance is too low.

That wasn't a number that I got from Jennifer Gooden, so don't blame the City (blame me I guess). $50/year/bike has been discussed for other systems. Also keep in mind that in many cases, these bikes are manufactured specifically for these Bikeshare programs (they're not using typical TREK or Worksman bikes, but a special model that those companies have perfected for the public systems) and they're usually sort of like third-generation road bikes. That's why they run $400/bike in bulks of hundreds and hundreds.

I can readily agree it'll take more than 50 a bike, even if none of them get ridden hard down at the bowl at Wiley Post park or swishing between trees and off steps at SR or MBG.

I don't think any of us disagree. $50/year might almost just be "too much" of a steal.

I was just making the point that, while this is the industry's standard amount supposedly for maintenance (and perhaps it is a major low-ball), clearly the fee structure is going waaay above and beyond just covering program maintenance.

Spartan, considering its a grant, we can't complain. It's a step in the right direction.

I'm not complaining about costs. I wish we were spending more on this. Boise is dropping $700,000 in their starter system, and they're not expecting it to be a stand-alone cash cow either.

^^^ That's great news. Always good to base a decision on the experiences of others (although our deal is pretty much set in stone at this point).

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-to-consider-shared-bicycle-program/article/3658323

I'm not complaining about costs. I wish we were spending more on this. Boise is dropping $700,000 in their starter system, and they're not expecting it to be a stand-alone cash cow either.

I lived in Boise for a short time and can tell you that the bike culture there is much more entrenched than it is here. Every city street has a dedicated bike lane and as a driver of a car I had to be especially careful to look for bikers. I think the difference here is that we are trying to build that culture by starting this program and hope it works and in a town like Boise they already have the culture and are pretty sure that the program will be successful if not long overdue.

Rode a windy 30 miles this morning with a small group and we didn't get honked at by a single motorist. It's not a trend, but it's a nice sign.

I lived in Boise for a short time and can tell you that the bike culture there is much more entrenched than it is here. Every city street has a dedicated bike lane and as a driver of a car I had to be especially careful to look for bikers. I think the difference here is that we are trying to build that culture by starting this program and hope it works and in a town like Boise they already have the culture and are pretty sure that the program will be successful if not long overdue.

I was surprised how much a recreational bike culture we have now, not sure how many would be traveling to work by one since most I know live about 20 miles from downtown.

I was surprised how much a recreational bike culture we have now, not sure how many would be traveling to work by one since most I know live about 20 miles from downtown.

There are people from Edmond and Norman that bike to work DT daily.

There are people from Edmond and Norman that bike to work DT daily.

Those people make me and my 6 mile round trip feel wussy.

Then again, it's nice that riding a bike only adds about 5 or 10 minutes to my commute.

I think I read somewhere that nearly 20 people a day hitch their bikes on an Edmond bus and ride it to work in or near downtown OKC.

I think I read somewhere that nearly 20 people a day hitch their bikes on an Edmond bus and ride it to work in or near downtown OKC.
I know some that ride the whole way, weather permitting.