Last November I did a post about the new Scottsdale bike sharing company called Lime Bike and I mentioned that the city had opened up the program to more than one company. The second company to set up business is called Ofo.
The Lime Bike company is based in San Mateo and the competitor, Ofo is based in Beijing. These are all free standing bikes that can be picked up or left anywhere, not just at bike stations. The result is they are EVERYWHERE. Almost everywhere I go, I see one (or more) of these bikes sitting around either waiting for another renter or waiting for the rescue team to come and pick it up. Some think it's a blessing, others think it's a curse.
I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today. I'm taking a look at a Paris Museum.
15 comments:
Those bikes sure are colourful, I like them.
This didn't work in Amsterdam, everybody has his own bike and tourists can hire one at special places or at trainstations.
I am looking forward to seeing a selfie of you riding one of these bikes. ;-)
Somewhere I just read an article about how bikes have become a problem in China. They have too many of them. Huge areas are filled with old, broken bikes that nobody wants. The photos just blow your mind. Many of them were yellow, too. I have mixed feelings about this. In Ocala, we have so many big pickups and other cars and so few bike lanes that riding on the streets is really taking your life in your hands.
Those are very cool bikes!
: )
I guess they all have locator transmitters! I think it keeps them a bit more organized when you have to return them to a bike station.
Someone should have called the yellow ones "Lemon Bikes."
I still don't understand how this works. I assume you have to scan them to rent them, but what's to stop someone from just taking one -- and keeping it, even? Or are they so valueless that no one is tempted? Maybe bikes are so ubiquitous that, like books or CDs, there's no longer much resale value.
Re. Lowell's comment, I'm sure this scheme only works in areas that are fairly compact and urban. Having been to Ocala, I can see how it would be very difficult there! Miami Beach could make it work, though. How is Phoenix for bike safety, Sharon? Are there many bicyclists? Is there an awareness among drivers about bicycle safety?
(Sorry to pepper you with so many questions!)
I have heard about the problems with the bikes being left all over town. I would be a bit nervous riding a bike in the valley. Well, I don't even like to drive a car in the valley so, I guess a bike is out of the question.
We've got them, in green.
Hi Sharon. Maybe a wee bit of both, a blessing and a curse! Surely there should be at least some sort of designated spot to leave them otherwise it's really just littering on a grand scale 😀
I saw my first Lime Bikes in STL while I was out shooting yesterday. They were just sitting alone here and there. zdon't understand the system.
Same thing in a lot of French cities. A Chinese company tried to establish itself in Paris but it did not work concerning repairs and such and they removed all their bikes. Now there is a lack of them...
Alltogether it is such a wonderful way to go.
Very colouful bikes. I've seen some bikes in Galway that you can take and return or drop off and they were a bright red. If people are using them, I think it is a wonderful program better than driving and being stuck in traffic.
Everyone should have a bike of their own.
Two very nice shots, Sharon !
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