The Bike Scheme thread

Mrs OBumble · 29-04-2015 7:45pm

Serfboard, I like your thinking. But then I already live in the city centre and choose to use taxis and rent a car when I need it rather than own - purely for reasons of economics. I'd love a car club where I could rent for short periods at short notice without having to pay a fortune for it.

But you're forgetting one aspect of male psychology. Some men use their car to, umm, compensate for perceived ...umm ... lack of size ... in other departments (and I don't mean hands!) I don't know why they bother, when we all know what it means when a lad is driving around in a big fast car that he doesn't need. But they do.

So there will be some resistance to such an approach, no matter how economically rational it is.

zarquon · 29-04-2015 11:31pm

WallyGUFC wrote: »

I'm not sure how likely driverless taxis are, and I think there'd be issues if individuals were still driving themselves (it'd be better if every car was driverless I think.) Is technology like this actively being developed? And I wonder would it more economical than an individual owning a car? I'd imagine at the start it wouldn't be.

It's a matter of when, not if. The technology already exists albeit not pratical for mass production. A few decades time should see mass production of driverless cars a viable option.

dinneenp · 29-04-2015 11:53pm

zarquon wrote: »

It's a matter of when, not if. The technology already exists albeit not pratical for mass production. A few decades time should see mass production of driverless cars a viable option.

A lot if cars still don't have electric windows. It's cheaper without. So I guess driverless cars won't be the norm for a long, long time.

Crumbs868 · 30-04-2015 12:52am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

But you're forgetting one aspect of male psychology. Some men use their car to, umm, compensate for perceived ...umm ... lack of size ... in other departments (and I don't mean hands!) I don't know why they bother, when we all know what it means when a lad is driving around in a big fast car that he doesn't need. But they do.

What a sexist and narrow minded statement, expect more from a moderator.

30-04-2015 12:53am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

.

But you're forgetting one aspect of male psychology. Some men use their car to, umm, compensate for perceived ...umm ... lack of size ... in other departments (and I don't mean hands!) I don't know why they bother, when we all know what it means when a lad is driving around in a big fast car that he doesn't need. But they do.

So there will be some resistance to such an approach, no matter how economically rational it is.

You (or people in general) don't really believe this fable surely? I don't think any man ever bought a car with impressing women in mind.

You do realise men and women actually enjoy driving nice cars, take pride in having a good looking car and enjoy the excitement of driving a fast car. I couldnt plot along in a small underpowered box, I'm far too into cars and enjoy sinking my right foot and feeling the power and hearing the engine roar far too much.

Contrary to a lot of backward belief also having a more powerful car is far safer on the roads as things like overtaking is effortless and done much much faster than in a slow, underpowered car.

TinManJim · 30-04-2015 8:35am

Natasha Calm Groceries wrote: »

I don't think any man ever bought a car with impressing women in mind.

That's quite a claim...

Mrs OBumble · 30-04-2015 9:28am

Crumbs868 wrote: »

What a sexist and narrow minded statement, expect more from a moderator.

I'm not a moderator in this forum.

And trust me, I know some cases where it's 100% correct. You want names? Nah... I'm not going to give them, that's not fair. But I could.

dloob · 30-04-2015 10:38am

Could be in 20 or 30 years you'll see cars that aren't driverless being banned from the public roads.

death1234567 · 30-04-2015 10:45am

dloob wrote: »

Could be in 20 or 30 years you'll see cars that aren't driverless being banned from the public roads.

and we'll all live in cities on the moon.

Iwannahurl · 30-04-2015 10:59am

Natasha Calm Groceries wrote: »

I'm far too into cars and enjoy sinking my right foot and feeling the power and hearing the engine roar far too much.

Phwoar.

Back on topic (sort of):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBZ3aqeJlnY

L'Enfer du Nord · 30-04-2015 5:30pm

dloob wrote: »

Could be in 20 or 30 years you'll see cars that aren't driverless being banned from the public roads.

You'll still be able to drive cars in motor dude ranches.

30-04-2015 5:46pm

dloob wrote: »

Could be in 20 or 30 years you'll see cars that aren't driverless being banned from the public roads.

I'd bet every cent I have on that not being the case.

Its like predictions in the past that we would all be driving flying cars by the year 2000.

zarquon · 30-04-2015 6:34pm

Natasha Calm Groceries wrote: »

I'd bet every cent I have on that not being the case.

Its like predictions in the past that we would all be driving flying cars by the year 2000.

Or predictions that the sun revolved around the earth or predictions that the fundamental particles of matter were air, earth, fire, wind.

Predications are just educated guesses, no one knows what the future holds, certainly not the distant future

what_traffic · 11-05-2015 5:48pm

http://connachttribune.ie/expansion-of-bike-scheme-to-salthill-will-depend-on-usage/

Can the number's increase based on the low numbers of current stations?

zarquon · 11-05-2015 8:38pm

what_traffic wrote: »

http://connachttribune.ie/expansion-of-bike-scheme-to-salthill-will-depend-on-usage/

Can the number's increase based on the low numbers of current stations?

A salthill station seems like a no brainer. Of course usage would be high on such a route.

ceatharloch · 12-05-2015 1:13pm

zarquon wrote: »

A salthill station seems like a no brainer. Of course usage would be high on such a route.

Absolutely! But I could see this happening: They build a scheme restricted to a small geographical area in Galway City (max. distance you can cycle is about 1km), and then, when the numbers of people using it are not so large (precisely because it is just in a small area), they say "no we won't extend it because there are too few using it"!

I really hope the powers-that-be will have a bit of sense in this case and see that extension of the scheme to Salthill (just 1km away) is _very_ _likely_ to improve usage by a considerable amount. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but this one should be a very good bet!!

irisheddie85 · 12-05-2015 2:08pm

There seems to have been an increase in the amount of bikes being used recently or at least I've been meeting a lot more of them around the streets of Galway. Hopefully the scheme well be expanded in the future

uki · 12-05-2015 2:27pm

I must say that I would be interested in joining the bike sceme it there was a station in Salthill, Knocknacarra or even out in Barna. I would leave my car at home on a fine day and cycle. I bet there would be a huge demand. At the moment the hire stations are far to close to town. They are not an alternative for commuters like me. I think it is a no brainer. Good for everybody to take cars of the road. So PLEASE INSTALL A STATION IN SALTHILL / BARNA / KNOCKNACARRA!

Fey! · 12-05-2015 2:36pm

Does anyone know why the bike rack on Mainguard Street has been completely out of service for the last month?

The city manager was asked at a recent meeting whether or not proper racks for normal bikes were going to be replaced, and when asked for a timeframe he said within two months. That was about a month ago. He was also asked about removing bikes that were attached to poles and blocking paths, and said that he would have no qualms about instructing the necessary people to remove any that were causing a hindrance and blocking paths.

uki · 12-05-2015 2:55pm

I think they want to promote the COCA COLA bikes. That is their objective. They paid money towards the bikes. To hell with Paddy - the ordinary cyclists. No I think it is not fair that ordinary cyclists have to suffer. I think the coca cola bikes are a good idea - but badly designed (so far). Not enough stations outside town and therefor no real alternative for motorists to leave their cars at home. We need more bicycle stands in and around Galway to help fight obesity and keep Galway moving. Wasting time and petrol every morning in traffic jams bringing kids to school.

Fey! · 12-05-2015 3:06pm

Uki: It's the Coca-Cola bikes that have been missing from Mainguard Street for the last month, with out of service signs on each of the docking stations.

uki · 12-05-2015 3:10pm

Oh really? Did not know. Thats bad.

Mrs OBumble · 12-05-2015 3:17pm

uki wrote: »

I must say that I would be interested in joining the bike sceme it there was a station in Salthill, Knocknacarra or even out in Barna. I would leave my car at home on a fine day and cycle. I bet there would be a huge demand. At the moment the hire stations are far to close to town. They are not an alternative for commuters like me. I think it is a no brainer. Good for everybody to take cars of the road. So PLEASE INSTALL A STATION IN SALTHILL / BARNA / KNOCKNACARRA!

Where in each of those areas would you like a station installed?

Knocknacarra, in particular, is quite large.

schemingbohemia · 12-05-2015 4:27pm

uki wrote: »

I must say that I would be interested in joining the bike sceme it there was a station in Salthill, Knocknacarra or even out in Barna. I would leave my car at home on a fine day and cycle. I bet there would be a huge demand. At the moment the hire stations are far to close to town. They are not an alternative for commuters like me. I think it is a no brainer. Good for everybody to take cars of the road. So PLEASE INSTALL A STATION IN SALTHILL / BARNA / KNOCKNACARRA!

Sorry but you don't seem to understand how these systems work. They're not for long/mid distance commuters, they're for short journeys within a town/city centre.

The schemes need to have stations every 250-400 metres to provide enough "churn" of bikes between stations. How many stations would that require out to Barna? Also who would be returning a bike to Barna? The station would empty in the morning and then not have any bikes returned until the evening (apart from the company moving the bikes).

What's stopping you from buying a bike and cycling in from Barna?

monument · 12-05-2015 5:56pm

Natasha Calm Groceries wrote: »

I'd bet every cent I have on that not being the case.

Its like predictions in the past that we would all be driving flying cars by the year 2000.

The difference is that when the prediction was made about flying cars, they were not testing well-working flying cars which could be mass-produced.

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Sorry but you don't seem to understand how these systems work. They're not for long/mid distance commuters, they're for short journeys within a town/city centre.

The schemes need to have stations every 250-400 metres to provide enough "churn" of bikes between stations. How many stations would that require out to Barna? Also who would be returning a bike to Barna? The station would empty in the morning and then not have any bikes returned until the evening (apart from the company moving the bikes).

What's stopping you from buying a bike and cycling in from Barna?

The same could be said about the bike stations across the border of the city of Paris. And as for "What's stopping you from buying a bike"... the same could be said about people in any part of Paris, Dublin or Galway.

Sure, Paris is more populous but the difference between the centre of Paris the border of the city area is likely comparable to the difference between Galway city centre and Barna (as much as anything can be compared between Galway and Paris).

EDIT: I'm actually thinking more Barna Road rather than Barna itself -- which is likely too far for any system.

the untitled user · 12-05-2015 7:02pm

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Sorry but you don't seem to understand how these systems work. They're not for long/mid distance commuters, they're for short journeys within a town/city centre.

In both London and Paris you see plenty of people using them to commute. Living in cities like the above with as many old buildings converted to apartments you'll encounter quite a few people don't actually have the space to store a bike of their own.

Mrs OBumble · 12-05-2015 9:02pm

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Sorry but you don't seem to understand how these systems work. They're not for long/mid distance commuters, they're for short journeys within a town/city centre.

Why not? I don't see the problem if a bike rack at Barna empties in the morning when the bikes travel into town, and fills up again at night.

I used to work with a lad who biked from Knocknacarra into Eyre Square most days, locked his bike there and caught the bus to work from there.

13-05-2015 12:48pm

I think for people who want to cycle to work, even an odd day, getting a bike on the cycle to work scheme is the best way to do it, particularly if you are paying tax at the higher rate.

Even in the city the bike racks near apartments can empty very quickly (in Cork anyway) so Id imagine having a rack out as far as somewhere like Barna it would be hard to be guaranteed a bike unless you were there early.

Goofy · 13-05-2015 1:18pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Why not? I don't see the problem if a bike rack at Barna empties in the morning when the bikes travel into town, and fills up again at night.

I used to work with a lad who biked from Knocknacarra into Eyre Square most days, locked his bike there and caught the bus to work from there.

Because if the station empties every morning, you will never be guaranteed a bike. Therefore very few people are going to want to use it. You need to have stations clustered close together so that if you arrive at a station and it is empty you don't have to go far for a another station. Same goes for when you arrive there with a bike and the station is full.

You can't have outlier stations like 1 in bearna or 2 in knocknacarra because people will get pissed off with them being constantly full or empty. They will just stop using the station.

These systems have to gradually grow from the centre out with the right station density not to annoy users. And I'm sure this will happen in Galway just as it has happened in Dublin, London and Paris.

Commuters in London and Paris use these regularly because if they arrive at an empty station in the morning it's not a problem. They don't have to walk far to find a station with a bike. If I was commuting from Bearna and I was late to work just 1 day because of an empty station with no other stations in walking distance, I'd definitely be driving the next day.

Mrs OBumble · 13-05-2015 1:37pm

I agree re the need to grow in a managed way from the centre out - I'm not critical of the starter pattern they've installed.

But I think you're totally underestimating the abilities of scheme administrators to plan based on likely demand and to move bikes around as needed. Longer term, I predict stations at Rusheen, Silverstrand, Barna village (maybe even one east end and one west). And Cappagh Park, Joycces, the church .. various others in Knocknacarra too.

schemingbohemia · 13-05-2015 1:41pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I agree re the need to grow in a managed way from the centre out - I'm not critical of the starter pattern they've installed.

But I think you're totally underestimating the abilities of scheme administrators to plan based on likely demand and to move bikes around as needed. Longer term, I predict stations at Rusheen, Silverstrand, Barna village (maybe even one east end and one west). And Cappagh Park, Joycces, the church .. various others in Knocknacarra too.

The abilities of the scheme organisers aren't in question, it's the viability and cost of a massive expansion that is in question. It took years for Dublin's scheme to expand, it will likely take the same or longer for Galway's to similarly expand. Whether that expansion could ever go as far as Barna is open to question.

uki · 13-05-2015 2:43pm

Just think how much it cost to build the new bypass road from Barna to the East side of Galway. 500 Million? Just 1 % of that money spend on bikes and cycling lanes would go a long way.

kippy · 13-05-2015 2:46pm

uki wrote: »

Just think how much it cost to build the new bypass road from Barna to the East side of Galway. 500 Million? Just 1 % of that money spend on bikes and cycling lanes would go a long way.

Yep,
Cycle lanes, locking stations, incentives for employers to provide secure bike "spaces" and showers etc....
50 Million would go a very long way in the country to promote this type of thing, not just Galway.

uki · 13-05-2015 3:03pm

These stations are so close to each other that I decide to walk instead. The centre of Galway is so small that you do not need a bike inside the city. A good walker walks from Quay Street to Eyre Square in 5 minutes. Furthermore you are not supposed to cycle in shop street anyway. Why going through the hassle of cycling? To make a real impact it should be extended further outside the city. People could park their cars outside town and then change into a more environmetal friendly type of transport. (BIKES)

Lets keep the cars outside the city. Make it more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. See Holland for example!

dinneenp · 13-05-2015 3:46pm

Regardless of how good the bike system and public transport will/might be I think the bypass is still needed. For anyone with a destination west of Galway they need to cross the city.

The location of the bike stands has been much discussed; most believe/hope that there will be many additional stands created further out from the city in the future.

Galway has many 1 way streets and pedestrian areas that you often end up 'shock, horror' breaking the law. Of course you could avoid this but then you'd be almost as quick walking.

Mrs OBumble · 13-05-2015 3:54pm

dinneenp wrote: »

Regardless of how good the bike system and public transport will/might be I think the bypass is still needed. For anyone with a destination west of Galway they need to cross the city..

How come every thread about bicycles ends up being about the bypass?

?Cee?view · 13-05-2015 4:20pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

How come every thread about bicycles ends up being about the bypass?

what_traffic · 13-05-2015 5:52pm

http://seankyne.ie/statistics-show-success-of-galway-bike-rental-scheme/

Ignore the fact it's a politician's website.
Has a letter from head of the NTA Anne Graham re the Galway Scheme.
Has some stat's about usage

L'Enfer du Nord · 13-05-2015 5:53pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

How come every thread about bicycles ends up being about the bypass?

On that note, would a West-East Axis bicycle path/express way be viable? I'm thinking from Cappagh road to Parkmore? Thru the city centre with a spur along the canal to NUIG?

13-05-2015 9:08pm

I was going to sign up but I was wondering, why on earth would they need my date of birth to sign up to rent a bike?

Name & address, yes I get that, they need to post the card out to you, but DOB?

Edit: nvm, I see you have to be 14 or more to sign up

dinneenp · 13-05-2015 9:14pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

How come every thread about bicycles ends up being about the bypass?

A previous poster commented on the cost for the bypass and how a percent of that would do amazing stuff if used for cycling. I simply replied to their comment.

Also no one mode of transport exists in isolation, they're all part of transport, congestion, possible solution in Galway.

boardzz · 14-05-2015 10:11am

Deleted User wrote: »

I was going to sign up but I was wondering, why on earth would they need my date of birth to sign up to rent a bike?

Name & address, yes I get that, they need to post the card out to you, but DOB?

Edit: nvm, I see you have to be 14 or more to sign up

Most companies ask for DOB to verify between two people
e.g. people with same name and same address.

hardCopy · 14-05-2015 10:22am

dinneenp wrote: »

Galway has many 1 way streets and pedestrian areas that you often end up 'shock, horror' breaking the law. Of course you could avoid this but then you'd be almost as quick walking.

One way streets should allow cyclists in both directions by default, bar exceptional cases.

Iwannahurl · 14-05-2015 11:27am

what_traffic wrote: »

http://seankyne.ie/statistics-show-success-of-galway-bike-rental-scheme/

Ignore the fact it's a politician's website.
Has a letter from head of the NTA Anne Graham re the Galway Scheme.
Has some stat's about usage

Sean Kyne TD wrote:

The layout and design of our city is very suited to bike journeys.

I wonder whether the Deputy is a regular commuter cyclist?

Now that I think of it, I vaguely recall that he admitted in a recent GBFM interview that he does not use the Dublin Bikes. Must check that...

Yep, here it is (skip to 00:14:20): http://galwaybayfm.ie/keith-finnegan-show-monday-may-11th/

.

pleasant Co. · 14-05-2015 12:12pm

boardzz wrote: »

Most companies ask for DOB to verify between two people
e.g. people with same name and same address.

email addresses distinguish people in the above scenario, these guys are the first crowd i've come across in a very long time to ask for a DOB (DOB is pre-internet stuff)

Iwannahurl · 14-05-2015 12:15pm

I believe use of the CZ bikes is age restricted.

Mrs OBumble · 14-05-2015 1:36pm

pleasant Co. wrote: »

email addresses distinguish people in the above scenario, these guys are the first crowd i've come across in a very long time to ask for a DOB (DOB is pre-internet stuff)

So you've not opened a bank account recently?

cocoman · 14-05-2015 1:41pm

pleasant Co. wrote: »

email addresses distinguish people in the above scenario, these guys are the first crowd i've come across in a very long time to ask for a DOB (DOB is pre-internet stuff)

Not everyone has an e-mail address.

pleasant Co. · 14-05-2015 7:52pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

So you've not opened a bank account recently?

Not online, no. Not sure comparing the sign up procedure of a bank to those of a bicycle rental company is all that apt though.

cocoman wrote: »

Not everyone has an e-mail address.

With that as the case, you're making signing up to the service this thread/post is referring to a bit more awkward for yourself, but if you can sign up offline then fair point.

what_traffic · 15-05-2015 8:55am

So it's six months since the scheme was launched and only have 14/15 (Mainguard St seems to Out of Order for a while now)stations out of 19.

Will we have all 19 stations opened by the end of 2015?

The Bike Scheme thread

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