Tim Salo wrote: "How much money was invested, what sort of revenues are
projected, etc. etc."
According to the Strib it cost $3,200,000 with $1,750,000 in federal money,
$1,000,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the rest picked up by Mpls and
other corporations. If I'm understanding the concept, it offers rental bikes
for people who commute to downtown Minneapolis to get to areas nearby downtown
to eat, shop, or sight-see. When I worked DT, there were plenty of walkers in
the skyways in the winter and on the sidewalks in the summer, but only during
lunch break. So the primary market appears to be the downtime commuter who is
on lunch break. The rental costs more than a round-trip bus/LRT fare, is only
available during non-winter months, caters to commuters without their bikes,
and covers only a fraction of the city. In times of economic upheaval like
we're experiencing, I don't see how this rated as such a high priority to
warrant such investment. Better than $50,000 water fountains, but still....
Robin Garwood wrote: "Anything you purchase for $65 is going to be basically
unridable."
A $65 bike can function just fine. Heck, I've bought $20 bikes that worked
just fine. In this consumer-driven country, we're led to believe that biking
can only be joyful when riding a fancy bike while sporting bike clothing and
gear. A functional bike, an able rider, and simple desire is all that it takes
to enjoy the simple pleasures of biking.
Brian Stricherz
Kingfield