Flickr photo by Adam Fagen
We posted about this in the early stages of this process (back in October), but dockless bikes are now much closer to coming to Newton (and several other communities). It’s now in The Globe, (a mere four months after N-Squared– I could not see a V14 post from December though), so it must be official.
I am intrigued- I have used the Hubway docked system in Boston, and similar bikes in other cities, and really love the simplicity. I saw the dockless bikes on a trip to Paris last year, but didn’t take the opportunity to try them out. As a road cyclist, I am not likely to strap into my cleats for a ride to Newtonville (for example) for shopping or a meal, but I would definitely use these for getting around. I am unclear on how exactly the companies will manage where these bikes are left (and where they cannot be) since there are no docks, but the proliferation of these services suggests that they have figured this out.
The Globe does not give a date for the bikes’ arrival beyond “this summer,” otherwise I wish I could tell you when we could try these out. I should add that’s clear the companies involved are working directly with the governments – including Newton – of the communities where they intend to launch,
I am also pleased to report that I had to go through 16 comments before an anti-bike troll made their true self known. That might be a record for the paper.
Would you use dockless bikes? I would.
ETA: As for the bikes themselves, they seem somewhat like the Hubways. Sturdy, with a basket, a bell that rings and things to make it look good.
I can’t wait. Will make connecting to transit or swinging over to a nearby village center a breeze. I imagine the e-assist bikes will be needed in some of the hillier parts of town.
Hubway was a good start but these dockless systems look so much easier to jump on and use. The bikes look much better too.
This looks very promising. I’ve been hitting the stationary bicycles down at the Y because I’ve had it in the back of my head to take part in this year’s Tour De Newton. Not sure at 81 that I will or should, but this is a real inducement and a great way for those thinking about bicycling to dip their toe into the water.
Doug. I know some virulent anti bike folks and a few of them deeply concern me with their anger and language. I think they could do violence under the wrong circumstances. But I’m also down on the the two bicyclists that recently ran a red light on Walnut Street as I was approaching City Hall from Walnut Street. I would have clobbered them if I hadn’t waited a few seconds after getting the green light to move out. This is the third such incident in the past year and I’m concerned not just with injuring them, but setting myself up for a license suspension because of my age.
Very excited about this. There are days when I need to drive to work for an evening event but would love to be able to hop on a bike at lunchtime, eat someplace I wouldn’t been able to otherwise or generally just clear the cobwebs out after a morning of arguing over something on Village 14.
I’ll use it. We don’t have enough space for full sized bikes at my house and I enjoy biking. (Even though I’m a nervous Nellie about it!)
Curious to see how the dockless portion of this works but more options for local transportation is always a good thing. Might be slightly.. challenging on some of the more hilly areas without the e-assist compared to Boston which is mostly flat. People going between Newton Center and BC or Auburndale and Newton Center will be getting some extra exercise.
I would love to use this. Does anyone know how you can use it, if like me (self-admitted dinosaur) owns only a flip phone? I read Mayor Fuller’s weekly newsletter, and she stated that the dockless bicycle stations will be accessed by smartphone. My kids all have smartphones, and are completely embarrassed by my lack of one.
Awesome if it works, but I’m afraid the NIMBYs will hate it. Imagine bikes being dumped infront of someone’s house or yard.. can you imagine the outrage! These unsightly bikes being dumped ‘wherever’ and spoiling the neighborhood. People already freak out when some one else’s car gets parked on public streets infront of their homes.
Here’s the worse that can happen, thoughtless people just dumping the bike ‘wherever’ once they are done:
http://metro.co.uk/2018/03/24/images-abandoned-dockless-share-bikes-china-astonishing-7413192/
@Jo-Louise – that same item in Mayor Fuller’s newsletter says “There will also be a system in place to pay with cash for those of you who don’t use a smart phone.”