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Very intriguing post. Like David C, I agree with everybody. But the reality is that bikesharing isn't designed for replacing regular commuting trips with bikeshare bikes, unless origins and destinations are pretty well balanced.

London shows that isn't the case. To some extent, that's the case with how land use is organized around the core of the city as well. There just aren't going to be that many reverse commute trips during rush periods from various points in Downtown to neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, etc.

So the idea of a rush hour fee is interesting, because it better prices the resource, compared to the cost of providing the trip, and the alternative to owning your own bike.

WRT reverse incentives, I argued when it was first introduced that it missed the point, because the issue likely isn't desire but the shape of the network and the type of trips. HOWEVER, it might be that uphill stations e.g., Columbia Heights are deserving of regular 15 minute time incentives. Then again, on a 3 speed bike, I'd hate to be riding up the Cardozo Hill on 13th Street...

by Richard Layman on Jun 6, 2011 3:18 pm • link • report