[Started writing this before everyone else responded, then got distracted by "work."]
Yes, agreed. Car sharing programs offer reciprocity, even if they are not the same company. A Community Car membership here in Madison allows you to use ZipCar in other cities. In the case of Denver, it is the same system. However each bike-sharing service - i.e. each city's service - is operated by a different entity. Sometimes it's a non-profit, sometimes a for-profit, sometimes the city or county. So the system (hardware) may be the same, but it's actually a completely different service. I have spoken with other bike-sharing operators about reciprocity. I think "they're working on it." Most know that reciprocity would be ideal, and would build the general brand or idea of bike sharing. But the services are so new that most operators are still working out the kinks. I also think having courtesy cards at hotels would be great. Maybe something to mention to hotels here, or when you are traveling. Many upper-end hotels have a shuttle service or concierge, and even complimentary access to local health clubs, so this wouldn't be that far out of the ballpark. They probably just haven't thought of it. However, most bike-sharing programs have short-term memberships. When I was in DC (that's where I have used the system most extensively), I bought a 3-day membership for $15. Used the bikes a lot. $15 is a bargain for transportation in DC, where even a single Metro ride can run you $3-4 during peak time. Having a Capital BikeShare membership completely transformed the way I got around DC. It is the perfect option for the "to far to walk (or I'm late or tired), and too close to take the Metro" trip. Every service I've ever seen has a 1-day option, so you don't have to make a huge commitment to use the service in another city. Robbie Webber Transportation Policy Analyst State Smart Transportation Initiative www.ssti.us 608-263-9984 (o) [email protected] On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 9:45 AM, Diane <[email protected]> wrote: > I will be traveling to Denver for a week for a convention. I asked about > using a Madison pass in Denver but was told at this point there is no > reciprocity. It will be great if this pass could be used at other > locations in the US as this is where I would utilize it. At this point, it > is still a fantasy "in the works". > > Diane > > > On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 9:34 AM, Robbie Webber wrote: > > There is again a special on the annual membership (normally $65.) Living > Social - another discount site - has the annual membership for the next 2 > days. > * > http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership > *<http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership><http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership> > > > <http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership> > If you aren't personally interested, think about someone at work that > car/van-pools, takes the bus, or even drives to work and might like to have > access to a bike during the day. If I lived in Dodgeville and took the > state ride-share service to the GEF bldgs or campus, I'd want a bike during > the day to do errands or have lunch. > <http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership> > > > <http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership> > I'm not sure what kind of marketing B Cycle is doing to these folks, but > in DC, and probably other large cities, that seems to be a pretty big > market: People that own bikes, but don't bike to work, instead taking the > Metro/transit. They want a bike in the city, but don't want to have to > store one at work. > <http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership> > > > <http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/154-madison/deals/281322-one-year-bike-share-membership> > > Robbie Webber > Transportation Policy Analyst > State Smart Transportation Initiative > *www.ssti.us* <http://www.ssti.us> > *608-263-9984*(o) > > [email protected] > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > *[email protected]* > *http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org*<http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org> > <http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org> >
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