Chicago bike sharing will be known as Divvy, be Chicago flag blue

Chicago Tribune.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on May 29, 2013 at 12:33pm

Here's a better map, but I'm biased. The big green markers indicate phase 1, to be installed for the June 14 launch. 

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on May 29, 2013 at 3:00pm
Alta is based out of Portland OR, not Montrèal. Also, most everything else in his article applies to all bike share programs, and is mostly common sense. If you are hurt on a bike, of course it is not Divvy's fault. And the fees are clearly laid out. His article just screams of sensationalism. Everything he complains about in there is really not a big deal.

To those of you who think Divvy is not for them because they have a bike: what about when your bike is in the shop for over a week for a tune-up?
Cameron 7.5 mi said:

If the excitement in this thread is too much for you, Hilkevitch over at the Tribune will help you turn the smile upside-down.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 29, 2013 at 3:09pm

It is always interesting to see where the Trib find these experts, in this case Mr Choslowsky "a bicycle-riding lawyer". Does he disburse legal advice while riding a bike?

The article is a shame. I generally like Mr. Hilkevitch's reporting.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Alta is based out of Portland OR, not Montrèal. Also, most everything else in his article applies to all bike share programs, and is mostly common sense. If you are hurt on a bike, of course it is not Divvy's fault. And the fees are clearly laid out. His article just screams of sensationalism. Everything he complains about in there is really not a big deal.

To those of you who think Divvy is not for them because they have a bike: what about when your bike is in the shop for over a week for a tune-up?
Cameron 7.5 mi said:

If the excitement in this thread is too much for you, Hilkevitch over at the Tribune will help you turn the smile upside-down.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 29, 2013 at 3:09pm

Oh, and #795...

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 29, 2013 at 3:23pm
So is the source of your disappointment the fact that the dissenting opinion came from a lawyer, the fact that the neutral to critical perspective came from a Trib reporter normally "friendly" to bike initiatives, or the fact that the opinions expressed accurately address the potential shortcomings of Divvy?

Duppie 13.5185km said:

It is always interesting to see where the Trib find these experts, in this case Mr Choslowsky "a bicycle-riding lawyer". Does he disburse legal advice while riding a bike?

The article is a shame. I generally like Mr. Hilkevitch's reporting.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Alta is based out of Portland OR, not Montrèal. Also, most everything else in his article applies to all bike share programs, and is mostly common sense. If you are hurt on a bike, of course it is not Divvy's fault. And the fees are clearly laid out. His article just screams of sensationalism. Everything he complains about in there is really not a big deal.

To those of you who think Divvy is not for them because they have a bike: what about when your bike is in the shop for over a week for a tune-up?
Cameron 7.5 mi said:

If the excitement in this thread is too much for you, Hilkevitch over at the Tribune will help you turn the smile upside-down.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 29, 2013 at 3:47pm

It has less to do with the fact that he is a lawyer, than with the fact that he just knows that the initiative will fail before the program has even started. Will the program fail or will it be a success 5 years from now? Who knows.  Anyone who pretends to know the outcome of that question is an charlatan at best.

There is also some of signs of sensationalism in this article:

  • Comparing this with the parking meter deal is typical of the soundbite oriented media of today.
  • Calling it Bikegate is sensationalist.
  • The legalese seem somewhat boilerplate to me. Overage fees are clearly stated on their website. Rented from Redbox lately? Rented a car lately? They all have overage fees of some kind and the overage fees often are of the punitive kind. Writing a front page article heralding this as outrageous seems sensationalist as well.
Permalink Reply by Michelle S on May 29, 2013 at 4:10pm

"Hundreds of excited citizens sign up in advance for bike share in first few hours, with absolutely no glitches reported" wrote no reporter, ever. Except for the Streetsblog guys, of course. Especially John. 

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 29, 2013 at 4:14pm

This is the main reason why I advocate having more than one bike. And in this regard I even practice what I preach.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

...
To those of you who think Divvy is not for them because they have a bike: what about when your bike is in the shop for over a week for a tune-up?
Cameron 7.5 mi said:

If the excitement in this thread is too much for you, Hilkevitch over at the Tribune will help you turn the smile upside-down.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 29, 2013 at 4:14pm
John's not a reporter. He's a cheerleader.

Michelle Stenzel said:

"Hundreds of excited citizens sign up in advance for bike share in first few hours, with absolutely no glitches reported" wrote no reporter, ever. Except for the Streetsblog guys, of course. Especially John. 

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on May 29, 2013 at 4:21pm

He's very diplomatic, and we need all kinds out there to get the job done.

Kevin C said:

John's not a reporter. He's a cheerleader.

Michelle Stenzel said:

"Hundreds of excited citizens sign up in advance for bike share in first few hours, with absolutely no glitches reported" wrote no reporter, ever. Except for the Streetsblog guys, of course. Especially John. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 29, 2013 at 4:35pm
Diplomacy is not a good trait for a reporter. It's a good trait for an advocate. On a semi-related note, when we "get the job done" what exactly do you want cycling in Chicago to look like?

Michelle Stenzel said:

He's very diplomatic, and we need all kinds out there to get the job done.

Kevin C said:

John's not a reporter. He's a cheerleader.

Michelle Stenzel said:

"Hundreds of excited citizens sign up in advance for bike share in first few hours, with absolutely no glitches reported" wrote no reporter, ever. Except for the Streetsblog guys, of course. Especially John. 

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on May 29, 2013 at 4:43pm

I'd like to have a city where average people can ride a bike for transportation and don't need to have any more courage to do so than when they're walking on the sidewalk, or riding a bus, or driving a car.

Kevin C said:

Diplomacy is not a good trait for a reporter. It's a good trait for an advocate. On a semi-related note, when we "get the job done" what exactly do you want cycling in Chicago to look like?

Michelle Stenzel said:

He's very diplomatic, and we need all kinds out there to get the job done.

Kevin C said:

John's not a reporter. He's a cheerleader.

Michelle Stenzel said:

"Hundreds of excited citizens sign up in advance for bike share in first few hours, with absolutely no glitches reported" wrote no reporter, ever. Except for the Streetsblog guys, of course. Especially John. 

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