After 1 year: Denver B-cycle bikes success
While Denver is still working out a few kinks with the touch screens- that weren’t as touch sensitive as they should be, and a bit of confusion with the rate system- the roll out of 500 bikes has made an impact:
Word spread. People grasped the economic and environmental benefits. More and more red bikes began to pop up on the city streets as people rode to work, to Rockies games, and along the Cherry Creek bike path.
In the seven months since it launched April 22, Denver B-cycle hit nearly 103,000 rides, selling 1,784 annual memberships and more than 32,900 short-term memberships….
How much has it saved?
Based on a survey that suggested 43.16 percent of Denver B-cycle rides replaced car trips, the program resulted in some big environmental and economic benefits:
312,121
pounds of carbon emissions avoided9,613
pounds of toxic air pollutants avoided15,868
gallons of gasoline not used (at a savings of $41,256)$311,126
Estimated savings on car parkingvia Denver B-cycle bikes on break until March 1 – The Denver Post.
And while momentum here is low- despite being a part of the Downtown Dayton Plan, I’m still working to bring BCycle to Dayton.
With the support of WSU President David Hopkins and UD President Dan Curran- we should be able to get the momentum on track if we could get some of our “leaders” to understand that this would be good for Dayton.
Sometimes I think that the pushback is purely because no one can admit that Esrati can come up with viable, cost effective ways to change perception of Dayton and make us more competitive. Of course, after reading the crap in the Dayton Daily News (they can’t print my name without something negative or derogatory) it makes things a little harder.
Anyone else want to go lobby the hospital chiefs to sponsor a community health initiative that gives them better visibility than any ad program, and makes them look good while doing good?
Good post Dave. What’s required for a B-cycle program to be set up? That is- what needs to be done that’s not being done?
@Terry- we need a major sponsor- a company that recognizes the branding and marketing potential of providing a service, instead of just hammering a message via the media.
Look to any company spending a few million to advertise in Dayton. DP&L could stop wasting their money telling us “Tomorrow Starts Today”- and instead, provide something that should net them carbon credits- and some good pr.
Or the hospitals- or, hell, even Dyer Garofolo, Mann & Schultz- at least if you lose your license, here’s a bike….
I’ve got a meeting Tuesday with a corporate chieftain, and I’ll be trying the pitch once again.
Metroparks has expressed support as well, and would probably manage the system.
OK, thanks Dave. That make sense. Good luck with your meeting next Tuesday.
Good luck with your pitch, David E. However, I hope your meeting Tuesday doesn’t involve any extraordinary gentle women. Your marketing towards them hasn’t been geared towards getting them to like you.