Starting on May 18th.

http://newsok.com/spokies-set-for-green-light-in-oklahoma-city/article/3659452

Starting on May 18th.

http://newsok.com/spokies-set-for-green-light-in-oklahoma-city/article/3659452

i think it will start the beginning of may ... the 18th will just be the "official" launch

Hey Sid, do you have a link to where you got that?

Here are some of the exact locations of the bike racks to be installed. For some reason, there will be two at the library. The last image is of Level.

In addition to these, there will be one on the SE corner of 6th & Harvey and another near the Bricktown Ballpark.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bikeslibrary1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bikeslibrary2.jpg

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

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

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

7th and Walnut?

7th and Walnut?

2nd & Walnut -- That's the SW corner of Level.

How about Los Angeles starting a small bike share program of their own??


Bike-share program coming to Los Angeles
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0415-ciclavia-20120416,0,7130598.story

How about Los Angeles starting a small bike share program of their own??

Small being 400 stations and 4,000 bikes? :ohno:

Heck yes! One of the racks is right outside my office door.

The new Bike Station across the street from the Chesapeake Arena (Robinson/Reno)
167516761677

Sweet!

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1676&d=1337302052

I just took a pic of the new racks added by the Memorial. Honestly, if you ask me they missed a huge opportunity for these to be a complimentary part of the streetscape. The racks I saw today, by the library, Cox, and Memorial, were all extremely nondescript and unoriginal.

Before anyone uses this photo to counter what I just said, I used a creative angle to get a more attractive backdrop in this photo (I just don't see the point in taking an ugly photo of OKC)..hardly anyone will view the rack from this angle.

http://i45.tinypic.com/b5gvpz.jpg

The rack at the Memorial would be far more visible to visitors if it were closer to the museum entrance.

I read on NewsOK you must have a credit card to use these and debit cards would not be accepted? Is this true. If so, that pretty much throws out any chance at all for the younger generation to use these as they do not have established credit yet or just do not want a credit card (the boat I fall in -- I will always avoid credit cards).

I read on NewsOK you must have a credit card to use these and debit cards would not be accepted? Is this true. If so, that pretty much throws out any chance at all for the younger generation to use these as they do not have established credit yet or just do not want a credit card (the boat I fall in -- I will always avoid credit cards).


The problem is that debit cards can have a daily limit on how much can be charged. If someone took off with a bike and didn't bring it back the debit card amount might not cover it.

I read on NewsOK you must have a credit card to use these and debit cards would not be accepted? Is this true. If so, that pretty much throws out any chance at all for the younger generation to use these as they do not have established credit yet or just do not want a credit card (the boat I fall in -- I will always avoid credit cards).

Yeah, I'm out. We don't use credit cards. Just keep a couple of different one's locked up for emergencies or vacations.

I guess I'm out as well... I don't believe in Credit Cards...

I'm also out, I got rid of my credit card when I got back to North America. I pay my bills, never needed a credit card before.. guess my one and only Spokie ride was at Better Block on Friday. Shame.

My debit card always worked to check out a bike from the racks all over Europe. I wonder if this is because they didn't want to pay for a WiFi connection at the kiosks to process bank cards. I know there are a lot of different options with kiosk features, including vis a vis registration and payment equipment, I just don't understand how there could be a difference. I have seen bikeshares before that required you to do the payment/registration in advance on a website, but this is a new wrinkle altogether.

Why can't they work like a RedBox? Simple, easy and accessible.

I was also excited about this, but only use a debit card.

I'm not sure you can't use a debit card.

It probably works just like renting a car -- they put a $500 hold on the account, which is what they do with a credit card as well.


You can sign up on-line and see if it will take your debit card:

http://spokiesokc.com/sign-up/

1. Depending on which company you use, renting a car with a debit card is anywhere from difficult to nearly impossible.
2. The website states in more than one place that only credit cards are accepted and that debit cards are not.

I just called the Spokies project office and they said its credit cards only to start but they will be adding more options.

And BTW, I've never had a problem renting a car with a debit card and I've used all types of companies in many different airports over the last five years or so. So, I can't image why Spokies can't implement a similar type of arrangement.

fwiw, avis/budget (or is it budget/avis?) does vehicle rentals via debit card. 200 extra hold at either counter, and 100 extra hold if reserve in advance online via Budget site (not sure if avis is 100 or 200 when reserve online as I prefer the budget site format.

It seems odd that I can rent a umpteen thousand dollar ride for a day, weekend or week plus with only a 200 hold beyond cost of rental, but for a bike ride across OKC I'll need to first buy a membership in advance and then use a regular credit card at the time I want to ride.

Also, it seems there's no guarantee if I get a bike at the Library that there would be a place to park it at the other end rack should I go to Midtown, or, for that matter, that there would be a space available back at the library once my ride is over should I plan on a round trip.

All in all, I think I'll just stick to hoofing it. That has served me well for a number of years, chubby legs and all.

on edit: enterprise, at least some locations, also permit debit cards, though I haven't used them in ages because of their excess paperwork compared to budget/avis for debit users.

I just called the Spokies project office and they said its credit cards only to start but they will be adding more options.

And BTW, I've never had a problem renting a car with a debit card and I've used all types of companies in many different airports over the last five years or so. So, I can't image why Spokies can't implement a similar type of arrangement.

Strange. I feel like I have to jump through all sorts of hoops when I use my debit card. Maybe it is merely a difference in perception.

At any rate, it's good to hear that there will be better options in the future.

I'm surprised that many people are against using credit cards. If you're a responsible person and know how to manage your money, I think it is of great convenience. I have never carried a balance on my credit cards, even in my college days when I first opened one up. My brother taught me to pay it off every month. Plus, I don't know what I would do without my hotel points.

I'm surprised that many people are against using credit cards. If you're a responsible person and know how to manage your money, I think it is of great convenience. I have never carried a balance on my credit cards, even in my college days when I first opened one up. My brother taught me to pay it off every month. Plus, I don't know what I would do without my hotel points.

+1 ... the point is get from my card are worth tons to me .... if you are not getting points you are giving away money ..

I carry credit cards but I typically don't use them. It's very, very rare where they are required instead of a debit card.

But I suspect lots of people would prefer or only carry a debit card and this program should take that into consideration.

I plan to speak with them again later today and will share what I discover.

Okay. I went downtown this afternoon to try it out. It did accept my debit card, and I was able to rent a bike. I am unsure as to how much money I was charged though or was "held."

Interesting...

I think some of the confusion is that there are debit only cards and visa logo'd debit cards that work anywhere Visa is accepted.

But I think virtually all debit cards these days are associated with credit card companies.

Aren't the pretty much one and the same?

I think you are fine as long as your debit card can be run as credit. Most banks allow the choice of debit (pin) or credit when checking out, I assume the bike racks automatically run it as credit. I'll run by my ATM tomorrow and see if a large amount of money was "held"

And I hope not because I have a $740 purchase to make on Thursday....boo

You only need the credit card to sign up. You don't need it to rent the actual bike. You will get a membership card in the mail that you use to checkout a bike. So defrost the credit card, sign up on-line, and put the credit card back in the freezer.

But I think virtually all debit cards these days are associated with credit card companies.

Aren't the pretty much one and the same?

Several banks (including Bank of America) offer ATM only Debit cards. Those must be associated with a password/key.

I have the standard-issue BofA ATM card and it has the Visa logo on it.

It came with the basic, free checking account and I never asked for a special ATM card. I can only use it up to the amount currently available in my checking account.

I think the Visa logo just means you can use it wherever Visa is accepted, not that it itself is a credit card.


And that is the card I use for pretty much everything, including car rentals and hotels that require a temporary hold.

But I think virtually all debit cards these days are associated with credit card companies. Aren't the pretty much one and the same?

For the most part, though there are some that don't bear a credit-card logo.

And there's the BOk check card, which works like a Visa, and only like a Visa: if you tell the little terminal it's a debit card, it will be declined, but if you swipe it again and say it's a credit card, it will work just fine. (Others may be like this, but this is the one with which I have had experience in the past.)

I did not sign up... I walked up to the bike rack and rented with no sign ups....

Did you buy a $5 one-day membership?

I wasn't prompted to. I just selected a bike, inserted my card. It gave me a receipt and told me to pull the bike off the rack.

You only need the credit card to sign up. You don't need it to rent the actual bike. You will get a membership card in the mail that you use to checkout a bike. So defrost the credit card, sign up on-line, and put the credit card back in the freezer.

I think you're confusing bikeshare kiosks with gym memberships.

Nonetheless, this is good news. I think we were all thrown off by the credit-only.

Not sure if it works the same, but here you will end up paying much more per month by not becoming a member if you use the program with any regularity. For instance you pay $42 for a year long membership, but swiping your card only grants you a 24 hour pass that charges over $5 just to take the bike off the rack. Both charge after their first hour off the rack. If I were to use them only 8 times in a year I would have paid a annual membership fee. FWIW

Our membership fee is $75 AND you get charged for check outs over 30 minutes on top of that.

Our membership fee is $75 AND you get charged for check outs over 30 minutes on top of that.

Just thought I would share as I know a few of first time users here were turned off to the program because of unexpected bills. Obviously they were uninformed, but I think there is some foreign territory with bike share for most people.

Does anyone know if and when the station on 2nd Street will be going in?

Does anyone know if and when the station on 2nd Street will be going in?

They have all the approvals, I think they are just waiting for some construction to wrap up at Level.

They have all the approvals, I think they are just waiting for some construction to wrap up at Level.

So no date is set?

I'm sure it will be soon as they have just started installing the racks around downtown and midtown.

If you want to talk to the program manager, call Jeff at 405-235-3500.

And if you do, please share what you learn.

As I have found every time I've called - no real answer. Jeff wasn't in though...waiting for "them" to pour the concrete. She was unsure of who "they" were - I asked was it LEVEL or the City of OKC and she said maybe the City. She also said probably a couple more weeks on the 2nd Street (Deep Deuce) location.

When I was out jogging this morning I finally took a look at the Spokies racks up close and personal.

This is the one in Midtown next to McNellie's.

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/6721/screenshot20120526at631.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/screenshot20120526at631.png/)

Pretty cool. One thing I noticed though is that the rack was already 100% full at 8:30am. Not so cool if you arrived thinking you could turn your bike in to avoid charges and/or avoid having to carry a heavy lock and cable with you.

I did see 4 other people (1 couple and 2 singles) out riding them (from other racks obviously) while I was out.

Yeah, I wondered about how they were going to level out the number of bikes at the various locations. I'm sure there will be some places where the racks fill...

I'm sure it's a bit of a learning process for the people running the program, as they will probably just have to monitor usage patterns and make adjustments.

Yeah, I wondered about how they were going to level out the number of bikes at the various locations. I'm sure there will be some places where the racks fill...

I'm sure it's a bit of a learning process for the people running the program, as they will probably just have to monitor usage patterns and make adjustments.



I had a thought the other day... If I owned a business in the central core area I'd procure a bike rack with user-programmable combinations or a take-a-key setup like they have for lockers at the train station.

Not everybody caries a bike lock and this might encourage people to patronize your establishment.

This is a big waste of money in my opinion.

Why do you think these are a waste of money? You're pretty much the only person who has said that.


When I was out jogging this morning I finally took a look at the Spokies racks up close and personal.

This is the one in Midtown next to McNellie's.

Pretty cool. One thing I noticed though is that the rack was already 100% full at 8:30am. Not so cool if you arrived thinking you could turn your bike in to avoid charges and/or avoid having to carry a heavy lock and cable with you.

I did see 4 other people (1 couple and 2 singles) out riding them (from other racks obviously) while I was out.

Wow. The racks are modular, and I believe that they come in chunks of 4 bike bays, so they may need to relocate some from the Cox Center up to Midtown already. They already purposefully planned way more bays than bikes to accommodate some fluctuations in ridership at different kiosk locations.

When I was out jogging this morning I finally took a look at the Spokies racks up close and personal.

This is the one in Midtown next to McNellie's.


Pretty cool. One thing I noticed though is that the rack was already 100% full at 8:30am. Not so cool if you arrived thinking you could turn your bike in to avoid charges and/or avoid having to carry a heavy lock and cable with you.

I did see 4 other people (1 couple and 2 singles) out riding them (from other racks obviously) while I was out.

I've been watching this particular rack since it was installed (I office across the street), and I have yet to see anyone use them during the workweek. I want this program to succeed, but it almost looks like it hasn't been touched since it was installed two weeks ago. Just an observation.

I've been watching this particular rack since it was installed (I office across the street), and I have yet to see anyone use them during the workweek. I want this program to succeed, but it almost looks like it hasn't been touched since it was installed two weeks ago. Just an observation.

I'm sure it will be a learning process for the public. I doubt that anyone expected immediate large usage. And it's possible that they may decide to relocate some of the racks based on nonusage.

I've been watching this particular rack since it was installed (I office across the street), and I have yet to see anyone use them during the workweek. I want this program to succeed, but it almost looks like it hasn't been touched since it was installed two weeks ago. Just an observation.

I've previously expressed skepticism regarding this project. But, what's done is done, and I do find the concept pretty cool. Now that my wife and I are actively trying to buy a house in the area I find them even cooler.

I think geographically, this area is a no-brainer for a rack. Hopefully it will catch on soon.

nm