I think Kingston is a blowhard, and I imagine I am not in the minority with that opinion, but against my better judgement I read his op ed on DallasNews and figured it would be a good topic for discussion with all the residents.
First off, having Kingston write on op ed immediately polarizes the issue because so many have strong opinions of the guy.
And starting your letter with
As he points out in the article, the research will show us exactly who uses the bikes, when and where the bikes are used, but these companies aren't out to save the world. It is the all mighty dollar.
One last funny
First off, having Kingston write on op ed immediately polarizes the issue because so many have strong opinions of the guy.
And starting your letter with
just makes me laugh.Quote:
Dallas needs bike-share. Our air quality is terrible -- 13th worst air quality in the nation (but our best ranking ever). Our highway and street networks are snarled, a condition that will worsen as we continue to grow. Our 33 percent obesity rate places an avoidable strain on public health resources and costs all of us money at Parkland.
As he points out in the article, the research will show us exactly who uses the bikes, when and where the bikes are used, but these companies aren't out to save the world. It is the all mighty dollar.
Which is where I thought uses were most evident...apartment to bus stop...bus stop to store...work commutes for those without a car. I don't think bike sharing is going to save the environment, but is it convenient for someone who normally walks but doesn't want to own a bike? Yes.Quote:
So, the City approved a plan to treat the first several months of bike-share operation as a pilot program to gather data. During this phase, operators have deliberately deployed more bikes than they need because the only way our pilot program will miss data is if a bike isn't available when a rider wants it.
We need this rider data in order to develop reasonable rules regarding dockless operations. As a bonus, the data will also be useful for a variety of related urban decisions like revisions to DART bus routes and future housing and economic development plans.
One last funny
Anyone else think that had something to do with all the teenagers out of school biking around on "free" bikes and tossing them all around the city, like the creeks, Whiterock Lake, and other odd places? Heck, there was even a picture of some piled up and apparently lit on fire near the Katy Trail.Quote:
And all signs point to more ridership in the future. Ofo saw a greater than 50 percent increase in trips from December to January when it was bitterly cold.