3 ms·

Can we please just make this (scooters, bikes) public transit? Not profitable - check Good for society - check In need of regulation - check

• asdff 7y ago
  I wish, but corruption and graft has lead LA's metrobikes to cost something like $2500 each and that program is quickly spiraling out of existence. Greedy contractors and privatization aside, you need infrastructure for transit, and for these scooters and bikes that means building bike lanes. Otherwise, it's no surprise that ridership is declining as they aren't safe on roads with LA drivers who kill more pedestrians every year. The LA bike lane network is currently an embarrassment with little political support for improvement, in fact there are councilmen actively working to remove bike lanes from their neighborhoods.
  • Rebelgecko 7y ago
    >I wish, but corruption and graft has lead LA's metrobikes to cost something like $2500 each That doesn't seem too excessive to me. What do you think would be a more reasonable price for purchasing an electric bike* with a fair degree of customization and a corresponding maintenance contract? * IIRC the bikes have integrated NFC readers for your TAP card, built in U-locks, probably GPS, and that sweet sweet Metro paint job.
    • henryfjordan 7y ago
      They had a really ugly green Hulu color for a while too. I would hope that Hulu paid for those bikes.
    • asdff 7y ago
      Well they are neither maintained nor electric for the most part
      • Rebelgecko 7y ago
        Only the pedal assist ones cost 2500, the non-electric ones (still have batteries, but just for internal stuff) cost like $1200 each