Dear Daryl and Mike, Both your comments are interesting perspectives. As I said, this concept is new to me.
The forty dollar "Red Bikes" sound good for college students and I would expect there is a fairly long term for that money, even if it is a "loss leader." So, that is one segment of the "market" serviced. And the 5 Kroner which acts just like the discount food store shopping carts costs the user nothing--that is another market. And Daryl you comment about the two separate cultures. But isn't that the point of all the bicycle advocacy and talk about close friendly schools and all? --That little by little such a European appreciation is to be nurtured? There is nothing more pleasant than travel on the water in a sail boat. But without such an experience at two to four miles per hour, most Americans believe that speed boats are the only method of satisfying water travel. The same with the bicycle and if they are all around where you can pick them up and drop them off, that is a different market than the Red Bikes or the "owned and maintained" markets. Awareness programs are good, also. My neighbor in Brandon has four children and is an athletic coach. They have never let their children ride bicycles believing that is too dangerous. And bicycles do not have "respect" in rural Wisconsin. Only through greater participation by average people and not just a biking elite can change that attitude. Confrontation and demand can only make the divide greater. But if a city-wide municipal bike drop off were to work in any city--Madison, Wisconsin would be a candidate.--------------Now with the warm weather, maybe we should discuss "farm dogs"---a most important topic for rural road bikers. Eric Westhagen _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
