Bike Programs Face Multiple Roadblocks

Cities trying to implement bike-sharing programs are facing legal and funding hurdles. Early programs worked on the honor system, but the bikes got stolen. The Paris program could be a model—20,000 bikes are available for people who have previously registered with a credit card. Washington, D.C.’s new self-service rental program has more than 900 users, but the replacement costs of $550 if a bike is lost or stolen could drive some people away. Chicago is trying to implement a bike-sharing program, but costs are prohibitive, and the city needs some funding from the private sector. Boston’s program has been slow going because lawyers are trying to sort out who is liable if a rider gets injured on a rented bike. “Anti-bike activists” sued San Francisco when the city planned to build 40 miles of bike lanes, so that project has been on hold since 2006. For more information, go to http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-01-bikeprograms_N.htm.

Source:  USA Today, October 1, 2008

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