When Sue and I were in London we saw a "Rent-a-Bike" kiosk and lots of bicycles where anyone can rent a bike with a credit card and ride wherever and then return the bike. I put a picture up on my TWITPIC site.
What do you guys think of that idea? Lot's of cities are evidently doing this. Would it be worth approaching the City of Terre Haute to see if there might be a need for this downtown or around the schools. J's Bikes could support and maintain the stations for the city. It would probably be profitable for you and the city.
What do you think?
Believe it or not Jim, but I actually had a lady today asking if we rented bikes or knew of anyone who did. I've probably received 5 or 6 calls like that since I've worked at the shop. Its a great idea but something I just don't see working in Terre Haute unfortunately. Terre Haute just doesn't have a enough bike friendly roads and bike paths to demand that type of business. The city is making efforts to expand the trails system in Terre Haute though and I have seen an increasing amount of customers coming into the store looking for a bike to commute on. Down the road a system like this could work out in Terre Haute but currently I don't believe it would.
ReplyDeleteHow.much did it cost to rent a bike at that station you were at?
Todd, I didn't write down the cost and forget what they charged. I'll try to figure out how to get that number.
ReplyDeleteTerre Haute's infrastructure may not be ready, but I do not remember seeing any bike oriented infrastructure in London. Of course, London is a big and old city that perhaps cannot develop bike infrastructure.
Speaking of renting bikes, I wonder if Trek or any of J's Bikes other suppliers supports a "rent-a-bike" program of any sort. The Rep's might be able to advise you of this - or tell you that the idea is crazy!
Yeah Trek may do something like that. Might have to tell J to look into that.
ReplyDelete