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I’d actually say it’s the opposite. My impression is that people who use bikeshares are casual cyclists and tourists. Everyone I know that I would consider a “c
by kennywinker 5y ago
I’d actually say it’s the opposite. My impression is that people who use bikeshares are casual cyclists and tourists. Everyone I know that I would consider a “cyclist” owns their own bike and would only use a bikeshare as a fallback if something happened to their bike. It’s possible bikeshare users are early adopters - but in cities where bikeshares have been around for nearing a decade (nyc comes to mind) I think that framing doesn’t make a ton of sense.
- mjmahone17 5y agoIn NY a good number of people use Citibike even when owning their own bike, because there are a lot of factors like not needing to carry a lock, being able to mix biking and transit, etc. that make it more attractive for some trips. It also makes some trips reasonable, like ending up a mile or so from the nearest subway in another borough, that aren’t reasonable with either just a personal bike or just relying on transit.
- Doctor_Fegg 5y agoI’m a “cyclist” (own way too many bikes, run a cycling website, volunteer for a cycling charity). Nonetheless bikeshares are hugely useful away from home. If I’m in London for the day, I can either go through the trauma of booking my own bike on the train, locking up wherever I go, and perpetually worrying that it might be nicked... or I can just hire a Santander bike when I get there.
- mijamo 5y agoBut then you fall in the tourist category as mentioned above.
- Doctor_Fegg 5y agoNot really - I travel for work in London, not just for sightseeing. It’s an alternative to the Tube.