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The Paris scheme is different to the UK ones in that it's primarily an opportunity to gain public space for adverting and just happens to be using bike hire schemes as a front to get that. Great if it works.
We have one just started in Bristol but it's also not based on the advertising supported model. Instead its backed by "First (read that as 'Worst') Great Western" who run (read that as strangle and extort) Bristols public transport, some council money (taxes) and money from University Of West Of England (taxes too). Hmm .. why would First Great western want to be involved and then not allow a hire hub to be insalled at train stations they operate from? Almost as if they don't want it to work?
Apparently there was a lot of interest from J C Decaux and Clear Channel in backing it. Wonder why?
It's not surprising to hear that the Paris bikes are vandalised,left in disrepair etc. The bike scheme isn't reallyJ C Decaux's real interest, it's the space they get through backing it.
Guardian was unimpressed with Bristol's new "Hourbike" scheme...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/21/bicycle-scheme-bristol-ride-go
Contrary to what they say there are actually lots of flat areas in Bristol. I would say that 90 percent of my journeys by bike never encounter hills. Of course it is possible to find very steep hills if you want to in Bristol.
If Hourbike fails in Bristol it won't be because of the hills.
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They are for tourists really
if it's like the Bristol scheme then you need to register in advance and pay £10 to join. Tourists can't just pay quickly and use them.
Renders them a bit difficult for the casual tourist / visitor, which is a shame because that's one way it might be useful, especially considering the hassle of getting bikes on trains sometimes.
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Le Velib dans la chanson francaise:
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[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0vBcsGyTz4"]YouTube
- En roue lib sur mon vélib[/ame]
A_EF
VeeVee-
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About
Proposed London Cycle Hire Docking Station - Old St
Posted by
@BringMeMyFix
I'm doing some work on this whole cycle hire project at the moment, and it'll probably go wrong from the point of view of it being an extension of public transport. They are not putting hire points at major train stations in case allt he bikes get taken up, but they are relying on each bike being used six times per day. i.e if someone uses it once to go from one tube stop to another or whatever, the sytem falls down because the bikes do not replace themselves, if you see what I mean. They are for tourists really
although, anything that gets people cycling more and understanding what its like to rid eis a good thing. I just reckon the money could be better spent i.e make every bridge across the thames better for cycling and walking.