That is a seriously cool site. Also interesting to look at other cities and compare number of bikes and how many are used at a time. London seems to have a higher peak usage rate that other larger bikeshares.

by 80p on Oct 13, 2010 1:42 pm • link • report

Fascinating map. The animations are great at showing usage patterns. It's also a good check on the "3 hour" rule, which doesn't seem to be in place yet. 7th and NC SE is empty most of the time, for example, and Potomac Ave metro seems for hours at a stretch. Cool site!

by jyindc on Oct 13, 2010 1:45 pm • link • report

oops, I meant above that Potomac Ave seems *full* for hours at a stretch.

by jyindc on Oct 13, 2010 1:46 pm • link • report

are the other cities on the same scale?

by charlie on Oct 13, 2010 1:57 pm • link • report

@charlie: According to the author's blog, they are all approximately the same scale.

by jyindc on Oct 13, 2010 2:03 pm • link • report

This makes a pretty strong case for improving density around the core, and gradually branching out. The outlying/isolated stations aren't being used at all, which really should come as no surprise.

by andrew on Oct 13, 2010 2:40 pm • link • report

@Andrew:
It's true that the outlying stations aren't being used much right now, but that's partly because they're missing part of their network.

For example, the American U station isn't used much, but the only station within a half mile or so is Wisconsin and Macomb, which is also pretty isolated, and not a super-huge destination for AU students (2 Amys, Cactus Cantina and the crappy Giant notwithstanding).

The day that the CaBi station at Tenleytown Metro goes in, I'd expect to see traffic at both existing stations to go up, not only back and forth to the Metro, but also to each other, as people in those neighborhoods get used to riding CaBi and start thinking about other ways to use it.

Similarly, as stations go in at the Social Safeway, Wisconsin & M and (if they can ever figure out where to put them) Glover Park and GU campus, the AU and Macomb stations will have a number of possible destinations that are a quick ride away, even if they're not in the "station-every-three-blocks" density.

One thing that I'd love to see is a map that overlays density of CaBi users' home addresses with existing stations. It would seem like having a station nearby will inevitably lead to more users in the areas, but I'd be curious to see how many of the first 2,500 members are using the system right now--and getting good use out of it--despite not having a station within a mile of their homes. (I'm near the planned Social Safeway/Hardy Middle School stop).

by Jacques on Oct 13, 2010 3:48 pm • link • report

I rode to Adams Morgan from the Wisconsin/Macomb station the other day. It took 15 minutes and was all downhill. CaBi is by far the fastest method of making that particular trip short of taking a cab or riding your own bike. I think that once people figure this out usage will go up.

by Phil on Oct 13, 2010 4:12 pm • link • report

I think it is safe to say that the predominantly black neighborhoods (especially east of the river) aren't taking advantage of the bike share.

by anon on Oct 13, 2010 10:16 pm • link • report

Those stations in Anacostia are a waste. Look at the map. They are not being used. They should build from the inside out and only go there when they can put in some real density.

by beatbox on Oct 13, 2010 10:36 pm • link • report

beatbox, if CaBi had NOT put any stations in Anacostia, there would have been outrage. Politically, there was no way they could ignore the area.

by JJJ on Oct 14, 2010 12:06 am • link • report

A map like that (over google maps) is integrated into the Capital Bikeshare iPhone app, which is called "spotcycle"

by Nolan on Oct 14, 2010 11:57 am • link • report

@jjj Oh I understand that. I just think it is a shame to see those unused stations and bikes sitting there when they could be used to increase density elsewhere.

by beatbox on Oct 14, 2010 12:34 pm • link • report

beatbox, hopefully they will eventually be used. What I would suggest for now is leaving each station as is, but with less bikes.

I think the $5 daily rate is a barrier. Paris charges 1 euro for a daily rental.

by JJJ on Oct 14, 2010 2:46 pm • link • report

I'm a bike owner who signed up for the extra freedom of mobility this program promised. I thought if I used it 10 times over the next year it would be worth the annual fee just knowing I had the option. As it turns out, I've used it every day for the past three weeks, usually multiple times a day (probably helps that the weather has been mostly mild). As another commenter pointed out it truly is the fastest way between certain points in the city. Here's hoping the system is well utilized, well maintained and thoughtfully expanded.

by Dan on Oct 19, 2010 11:37 pm • link • report