Comments on: Why Didn’t We Think of That? http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/ dedicated to stirring the pot Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:48:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Marjie http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-57995 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:46:32 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-57995 I know there was talk about this in Chicago. Our mayor went to Paris to see and try-out their bike rental system. I don't know what the final say was. I sure hope they do it, I think it would be great to see some of these cars off the roads. I know there was talk about this in Chicago. Our mayor went to Paris to see and try-out their bike rental system. I don’t know what the final say was. I sure hope they do it, I think it would be great to see some of these cars off the roads.

]]> by: Dub http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56800 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:02:32 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56800 Ashland tried the yellow bike thing as well, with some success, but simular results in the end. I remember reading Boulder had something too. If PDX does it again it will definately have to "set up something in a much more formal way". People will steal any bike in this town. I know becuase someone walked in my backyard (thru a gate) and stole an 80's Giant Mtn bike otta my shed. Go figure? Good thing the Lemond was locked down in the basement! Ashland tried the yellow bike thing as well, with some success, but simular results in the end.

I remember reading Boulder had something too.

If PDX does it again it will definately have to “set up something in a much more formal way”. People will steal any bike in this town. I know becuase someone walked in my backyard (thru a gate) and stole an 80’s Giant Mtn bike otta my shed. Go figure?

Good thing the Lemond was locked down in the basement!

]]> by: Eugenie http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56554 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:03:52 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56554 I remember the yellow bike program in Portland, too, and also the yellow bike program from school in Colorado, which faced a similar fate. Disappointing, on one level, but not really surprising. I don't think those early programs were really trying to address alternative modes of transportation in a lasting way. The bikes were of marginal quality, and oversight was nil; it was cute and fun while it lasted but not exactly catalyzing real changes in (movement) behavior. Portland is perfectly poised to set up something in a much more formal way. There are rumors of the city's involvement with something like this, but nothing official. It'd be nice to see our fair city as one of the first in the states to step up. I remember the yellow bike program in Portland, too, and also the yellow bike program from school in Colorado, which faced a similar fate. Disappointing, on one level, but not really surprising. I don’t think those early programs were really trying to address alternative modes of transportation in a lasting way. The bikes were of marginal quality, and oversight was nil; it was cute and fun while it lasted but not exactly catalyzing real changes in (movement) behavior.

Portland is perfectly poised to set up something in a much more formal way. There are rumors of the city’s involvement with something like this, but nothing official. It’d be nice to see our fair city as one of the first in the states to step up.

]]> by: Austin Ramsland http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56537 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:28:25 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56537 If I am not mistaken, the Portland bike sharing program essentially just released a number of bikes painted yellow into the wild. They were last seen crossing the Idaho/Wyoming border, and were never heard of again. With one exception. Apparently there was one yellow bike that for a long time remained in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. People would "ride" it from time to time, but since it was a stationary bike, it didn't really get many miles out on the road. If I am not mistaken, the Portland bike sharing program essentially just released a number of bikes painted yellow into the wild. They were last seen crossing the Idaho/Wyoming border, and were never heard of again.

With one exception.

Apparently there was one yellow bike that for a long time remained in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. People would “ride” it from time to time, but since it was a stationary bike, it didn’t really get many miles out on the road.

]]> by: ed http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56501 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:22:33 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56501 fresno, ca. has tried this program before, i think in the mid/late 90's. it was sponsored by one of the local rotary clubs. they painted all the bikes yellow, and a plate stamped on them that explained how the system worked. you could use a bike, and when you were done, just leave it @ a major intersection for someone else. i'm pretty sure most, if not all, of the bikes were later stolen. and, looking @ that wiki link, the fresno program was very similar. fresno, ca. has tried this program before, i think in the mid/late 90’s. it was sponsored by one of the local rotary clubs. they painted all the bikes yellow, and a plate stamped on them that explained how the system worked. you could use a bike, and when you were done, just leave it @ a major intersection for someone else.

i’m pretty sure most, if not all, of the bikes were later stolen.

and, looking @ that wiki link, the fresno program was very similar.

]]> by: J. S. Townsley http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56222 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:30:52 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2008/03/10/why-didnt-we-think-of-that/#comment-56222 Portland did have a bike sharing program sponsored by the city. The program is defunct now and I can't remember the name of it, but it's documented on wikipedia as one of the first in the country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_bicycle_program. JST Portland did have a bike sharing program sponsored by the city. The program is defunct now and I can’t remember the name of it, but it’s documented on wikipedia as one of the first in the country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_bicycle_program.

JST

]]>