The LimeBike
As Borat says, “In my country, there is problem / And that problem is transport.”
Well, South Bend has joined in an experiment to make transport better, or, at least, more hip. It has adopted the LimeBike system.
Behold these young Seattleites riding LimeBikes.
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The system works like this. Garish green bikes are planted all over the city. When you find one, you scan its QR code with your phone. This allows you to ride for up to 30 minutes.
$1 is charged to your tab.
Afterward, you leave the bike in any accessible, unobtrusive place (e.g., on the grass next to a public sidewalk).
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I strongly disapprove of car transport, and so you’d think I’d have high hopes for the LimeBike.
Alas, I don’t.
I don’t think the LimeBike ever will become popular enough to significantly change the transport system. South Benders will continue to drive.
If I recall correctly, that’s what’s happened in the Netherlands. For many years, the Dutch have had a generous bike-sharing system. And many Dutch do use it: cycling is an important part of their culture. But few Dutch commuters switch over from driving cars.
My conjecture is that no matter what country you go to, introducing more bikes won’t change the overall transport preferences.
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But suppose that LimeBikes were to become popular in South Bend, or were perceived to be popular. That would be dangerous, lest support be withdrawn from public bussing.
Mass transit is what really matters to poor people. No one too poor to own a car would wish to depend on some dumb bike. Especially not in snow or rain. And not in old age or illness or affliction.
For the occasional light errand, the LimeBike is OK. Though it isn’t cheaper than riding the bus, in some circumstances it’s more practical. But as a significant influence upon transit patterns, it’s less likely to help than to hurt.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Also, the LimeBike reminds me of Dr. Seuss’s Pale Green Pants. I keep seeing it in strange places, as if it were following me.
This week, there’s been a LimeBike in my parking lot. Every day, the thing has moved a little closer to my building. Now it’s sitting on my front porch.
It creeps me out.
In Seattle, the LimeBike has taken to hanging from the trees.
And in South Bend, it keeps on appearing in the river, as if it were Ophelia.
Well, South Bend has joined in an experiment to make transport better, or, at least, more hip. It has adopted the LimeBike system.
Behold these young Seattleites riding LimeBikes.
The system works like this. Garish green bikes are planted all over the city. When you find one, you scan its QR code with your phone. This allows you to ride for up to 30 minutes.
$1 is charged to your tab.
Afterward, you leave the bike in any accessible, unobtrusive place (e.g., on the grass next to a public sidewalk).
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
I strongly disapprove of car transport, and so you’d think I’d have high hopes for the LimeBike.
Alas, I don’t.
I don’t think the LimeBike ever will become popular enough to significantly change the transport system. South Benders will continue to drive.
If I recall correctly, that’s what’s happened in the Netherlands. For many years, the Dutch have had a generous bike-sharing system. And many Dutch do use it: cycling is an important part of their culture. But few Dutch commuters switch over from driving cars.
My conjecture is that no matter what country you go to, introducing more bikes won’t change the overall transport preferences.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
But suppose that LimeBikes were to become popular in South Bend, or were perceived to be popular. That would be dangerous, lest support be withdrawn from public bussing.
Mass transit is what really matters to poor people. No one too poor to own a car would wish to depend on some dumb bike. Especially not in snow or rain. And not in old age or illness or affliction.
For the occasional light errand, the LimeBike is OK. Though it isn’t cheaper than riding the bus, in some circumstances it’s more practical. But as a significant influence upon transit patterns, it’s less likely to help than to hurt.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Also, the LimeBike reminds me of Dr. Seuss’s Pale Green Pants. I keep seeing it in strange places, as if it were following me.
This week, there’s been a LimeBike in my parking lot. Every day, the thing has moved a little closer to my building. Now it’s sitting on my front porch.
It creeps me out.
In Seattle, the LimeBike has taken to hanging from the trees.
And in South Bend, it keeps on appearing in the river, as if it were Ophelia.
