New York City has started a bike share program with 10,000 bicycles (source: New York Observer).
Sounds pretty neat, considering what a dangerous place it is to ride in.
It's not without its share of controversy and problems, though.
"The city has been in the thrall of a bicycle backlash for the past year, after the city’s Department of Transportation ran lanes through the East Village, Upper West Side and, most controversially, along Prospect Park West, which led to a lawsuit filed by neighbors living on the thoroughfare."
There's also a concern with an economic feasibility, despite several other cities having done well with such programs.
"Concerns have been swirling in the city about a bike share program, particularly after The Times published a story in June pointing out that Montreal’s Bixi system, in which Alta is a partner, had been losing money and had to be bailed out by the city for more than $100 million."
Well, take it from me, Montreal should never be used as an economic model. Outgames $5 million debt, anyone?
More on the bike share program at Huffington Post.
Funny; when I lived in New York, they already had a bike share program. It was called Theft.
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