Council considering bike hire scheme for Bournemouth (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Council considering bike hire scheme for Bournemouth
9:10am Friday 27th January 2012 in News By Stephen Bailey
The Cycle Hire bikes in London
“BORIS Bikes” could soon be making an appearance in Bournemouth.
The council is considering introducing a town wide cycle hire scheme.
Officers are arranging a feasibility study into a local scheme to see how many people will take to two wheels.
Hire schemes have grown in popularity since Mayor Boris Johnson launched a London version in 2010.
People get an electronic key that allows them to unlock bikes from public docking stations.
Costs vary from £1 for one day’s access to £45 for a year’s access. You are charged again to use the bikes – half an hour is free, while one hour costs £1.
There are now hire schemes with their own rules in cities including Cardiff, Newcastle and York.
The Bournemouth plans were discussed at the Tuesday meeting of the Environment and Scrutiny Panel.
Ian Kalra, the council’s transport manager, said a scheme as comprehensive as London’s “wouldn’t be the perfect fit here”.
He said a medium sized plan could take in key locations like the town centre, Bournemouth University, and travel interchange.
“The encouragement of cycling is a key element of the council’s current transport policy,” he said.
“We want to promote cycling to reduce congestion, for leisure, for health improvements and for quality of life.”
The London bikes are purposefully unfashionable and heavy at 23kg to discourage thieves.
Cllr Mike Greene, who used to sit on Camden council, said the London experience showed there was only demand in flat areas.
“If someone has to cycle up Bath Road hill, it doesn’t really flow,” he said. And he said the other key to the London success was a major sponsorship deal with Barclays.
“I seriously have doubts about whether it would be economically viable here because of the recession,” he said.
“But I would be delighted to be proved otherwise.”
Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for transport, said: “I support this, but if it’s introduced, let’s get it right.”
The panel agreed to set up a working group to oversee the development of the scheme working locally.
Comments(50)
Derf
says...
9:18am Fri 27 Jan 12
'On your bike people!'
tobybruce
says...
9:34am Fri 27 Jan 12
speedy231278
says...
9:35am Fri 27 Jan 12
Phixer
says...
9:35am Fri 27 Jan 12
"Cllr Michael Filer said: “I support this, but if it’s introduced, let’s get it right.”
Fat chance of a council getting it right.
Cycle hire should be a commercial venture; there is no justification in risking your and my money on yet another loss-making venture by public servants who couldn't organise a party in a brewery.
tobybruce
says...
9:35am Fri 27 Jan 12
Old Colonial
says...
9:38am Fri 27 Jan 12
Gooby
says...
9:45am Fri 27 Jan 12
make transport around town quick and easy, minimise cost and niggles with parking, increase fitness and perhaps be a lever to improve cycling infrastructure.
I would argue that it has to be a comprehensive scheme in order to make it practical with plenty of bike stations out into the suburbs.
The only problem I can see is the late night drunks using bikes to wobble home.
b26b
says...
9:56am Fri 27 Jan 12
London cycle network is not perfect by any means, but they have done a lot to get the system established, and to make cycling an attractive alternative.
BBC must take time over this and be thorough in their study.
Duckorange
says...
10:02am Fri 27 Jan 12
downmoor-ch63
says...
10:03am Fri 27 Jan 12
speedy231278 wrote:Come off it, Bournemouth is a town for pensioners (ME BEING ONE OF THEM) so like Speedy231278, its the Yellows for me, just think of Richmond Hill, crawling up there puffing and blowing, NO THANKS !.
Why not just spend the money on subsidising the buses so that they run sensible routes at sensible prices?
dd9andy
says...
10:15am Fri 27 Jan 12
mysticalshoelace
says...
10:15am Fri 27 Jan 12
BarrHumbug
says...
10:30am Fri 27 Jan 12
downmoor-ch63 wrote:I think a Mobility scooter or Segway hire scheme would be more suitable for the average demographic in bournemouth?
speedy231278 wrote:Come off it, Bournemouth is a town for pensioners (ME BEING ONE OF THEM) so like Speedy231278, its the Yellows for me, just think of Richmond Hill, crawling up there puffing and blowing, NO THANKS !.
Why not just spend the money on subsidising the buses so that they run sensible routes at sensible prices?
Superfly Guy
says...
10:34am Fri 27 Jan 12
downmoor-ch63 wrote:By the sound of it, you haven't puffed or blowed in quite a few years!
speedy231278 wrote:Come off it, Bournemouth is a town for pensioners (ME BEING ONE OF THEM) so like Speedy231278, its the Yellows for me, just think of Richmond Hill, crawling up there puffing and blowing, NO THANKS !.
Why not just spend the money on subsidising the buses so that they run sensible routes at sensible prices?
tracy m
says...
10:40am Fri 27 Jan 12
cyclejim
says...
10:50am Fri 27 Jan 12
On the pro side (however much awful security can be seen as a positive), whenever I go into town I always drive and never take the bike. There's a too high a chance of it being stolen and too small a chance of getting it back so there is the possibility that I'd use one of these instead of a car.
elite50
says...
11:17am Fri 27 Jan 12
The town centre is out, so is Boscombe, Charminster, Winton and the road to Poole from the town centre.
That leaves the Prom, Muscliffe Lane and Broadway Lane.
This is great!
The council will make a fortune from these routes.
I know a sack of spuds gets elected to this council if it stands but at some stage people MUST ask "Why me?".
It must be about time that voting is made compulsory so that these half-wits that pervade the council get kicked out!
Tony Trent
says...
11:21am Fri 27 Jan 12
udaku
says...
11:40am Fri 27 Jan 12
Nice routes along the Gardens and proms available.
People who hire bikes may enjoy themselves and become regular cyclists.
Park and ride using these bikes might be a good alternative to expensive parking in town.
A good move forward, I just hope nobody jumps on one of these bikes and comes a cropper.
boverboy
says...
11:45am Fri 27 Jan 12
Northstand_dan
says...
12:07pm Fri 27 Jan 12
Justin666
says...
12:13pm Fri 27 Jan 12
beachcomber1
says...
12:40pm Fri 27 Jan 12
tobybruce wrote:use along the prom in july and august is not permitted, allegedly
Hire bikes too heavy to go up the many hills or use along the prom in peak tourist months, more wasted public money?
BmthNewshound
says...
1:06pm Fri 27 Jan 12
BarrHumbug wrote:Noooooooooo..... those flippin mobility scooters are a bloomin nightmare.
downmoor-ch63 wrote:I think a Mobility scooter or Segway hire scheme would be more suitable for the average demographic in bournemouth?
speedy231278 wrote:Come off it, Bournemouth is a town for pensioners (ME BEING ONE OF THEM) so like Speedy231278, its the Yellows for me, just think of Richmond Hill, crawling up there puffing and blowing, NO THANKS !.
Why not just spend the money on subsidising the buses so that they run sensible routes at sensible prices?
585
says...
1:17pm Fri 27 Jan 12
If in doubt set up a committee or call in some consultants!
TinyLegacy
says...
1:36pm Fri 27 Jan 12
lceel
says...
1:47pm Fri 27 Jan 12
The health benefits are AMAZING.
As for hills ... ride up as much as you can, then get off and walk it the rest of the way. In time, you'll ride all the way up - or at least the walk will become shorter and less strenuous.
Want to live longer and healthier? Ride a bike.
jobsworthwatch
says...
2:03pm Fri 27 Jan 12
dontpupmybackandtellmeitsraining
says...
2:10pm Fri 27 Jan 12
1 Anyone who wants to ride a bike has already got one !
2 How do you get to the bike ?
3 How much will they be charging to park a car to ride a bike ?
4 What do you do when you leave the bike ?
5 How can you go shopping on a bike ?
If they want to do a Boris then just make the whole conurbation a low or no emission zone and charge £100 per day and make public transport FREE
So please waste your council time on something more productive !
cyclejim
says...
2:27pm Fri 27 Jan 12
WIGGINSv
says...
2:53pm Fri 27 Jan 12
Gooby wrote:Why would they wobble home when the Safe Bus will ferry them home?
Superb idea!
make transport around town quick and easy, minimise cost and niggles with parking, increase fitness and perhaps be a lever to improve cycling infrastructure.
I would argue that it has to be a comprehensive scheme in order to make it practical with plenty of bike stations out into the suburbs.
The only problem I can see is the late night drunks using bikes to wobble home.
hammer
says...
3:21pm Fri 27 Jan 12
udaku wrote:A cyclist with insurance - surely not!
Not a bad idea. The council should make sure they get insurance for the poor visitors who hop on a bike and then end up in A&E. Nice routes along the Gardens and proms available. People who hire bikes may enjoy themselves and become regular cyclists. Park and ride using these bikes might be a good alternative to expensive parking in town. A good move forward, I just hope nobody jumps on one of these bikes and comes a cropper.
BarrHumbug
says...
4:00pm Fri 27 Jan 12
Bob49
says...
5:14pm Fri 27 Jan 12
Here's an idea. Set up a working party to show how we can stop the council from stripping the rest of the boroughs assets and handing them over to developers.
When this idea was developed in Paris it was in recognition that most people lived in flats and didn't have the sort of storage space needed for bikes, nor the ability to easily get them up 6 floors.
It is as now accepted, not a practical part of transport in the capital but a novelty for tourists. One factor in that being that having made yoiur journey you cannot always find a 'docking station' ie somehere to return the bike. Even with the sponsorship it is costly and will require heavy subsidy.
A better use of money would be to ldevelop and link cycle lanes/tracks into and through Kings Park, providing for a large and safe cycle parking area or extended into the lower gardens.
We need ideas that help to built on what is working rather than crackpot schemes that are no more than a cover for asset stripping or are merely something to grab the headlines.
tracy m
says...
6:59pm Fri 27 Jan 12
jobsworthwatch wrote:Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven.
Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.
By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
addntox
says...
7:08pm Fri 27 Jan 12
BIGTONE
says...
7:52pm Fri 27 Jan 12
What's scrap per Kg these days...a £1 ?
£22 return.....Nice one.
billm
says...
8:14pm Fri 27 Jan 12
At the Interchange the problem is St Paul's roundabout - it's bad enough on 4 wheels - and why would anyone want to go the uni in July or August - everyone's on leave - AND it's on Wallisdown Road.
dickie darcy
says...
10:13pm Fri 27 Jan 12
I got off it after a short time to loose the tyres down,
The saddle was too high for my short legs
signed-----Mike..
The-Bleeding-Obvious
says...
11:55pm Fri 27 Jan 12
tracy m wrote:If you were on the ground in Bournemouth in the sixties you would be well aware that families don't come here anymore. In the sixties the town was packed out with tourists throughout the summer on their one or two week holiday, now they go to the Costa's, the loss of most of the hotels in the town and the absence of quality nighttime entertainment in the town is witness to this. Top priority for the council should be to provide for local residents, facilities for weekend visitors and day trippers should be secondary. The days of the British seaside resort are long gone!
jobsworthwatch wrote: Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven. By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
juniperberry
says...
1:06am Sat 28 Jan 12
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:Without visitors spending money Bournemouth is nowhereville - wake up and smell the coffee!
tracy m wrote:If you were on the ground in Bournemouth in the sixties you would be well aware that families don't come here anymore. In the sixties the town was packed out with tourists throughout the summer on their one or two week holiday, now they go to the Costa's, the loss of most of the hotels in the town and the absence of quality nighttime entertainment in the town is witness to this. Top priority for the council should be to provide for local residents, facilities for weekend visitors and day trippers should be secondary. The days of the British seaside resort are long gone!
jobsworthwatch wrote: Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven. By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
The-Bleeding-Obvious
says...
1:26am Sat 28 Jan 12
juniperberry wrote:Compared to the 60s it is!
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:Without visitors spending money Bournemouth is nowhereville - wake up and smell the coffee!tracy m wrote:If you were on the ground in Bournemouth in the sixties you would be well aware that families don't come here anymore. In the sixties the town was packed out with tourists throughout the summer on their one or two week holiday, now they go to the Costa's, the loss of most of the hotels in the town and the absence of quality nighttime entertainment in the town is witness to this. Top priority for the council should be to provide for local residents, facilities for weekend visitors and day trippers should be secondary. The days of the British seaside resort are long gone!jobsworthwatch wrote: Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven. By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
tracy m
says...
7:25am Sat 28 Jan 12
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:So all those people on the beach in the summer are locals?
juniperberry wrote:Compared to the 60s it is!The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:Without visitors spending money Bournemouth is nowhereville - wake up and smell the coffee!tracy m wrote:If you were on the ground in Bournemouth in the sixties you would be well aware that families don't come here anymore. In the sixties the town was packed out with tourists throughout the summer on their one or two week holiday, now they go to the Costa's, the loss of most of the hotels in the town and the absence of quality nighttime entertainment in the town is witness to this. Top priority for the council should be to provide for local residents, facilities for weekend visitors and day trippers should be secondary. The days of the British seaside resort are long gone!jobsworthwatch wrote: Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven. By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
The-Bleeding-Obvious
says...
8:17am Sat 28 Jan 12
tracy m wrote:As a teenager in the sixties I remember the beach on hot summer days being far busier than in recent times, not just the beach but the whole town. How many hotels were pulled down to make way for the BIC, just look around the town, Bournemouth no longer has the accommodation to support hordes of tourists.
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:So all those people on the beach in the summer are locals?juniperberry wrote:Compared to the 60s it is!The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:Without visitors spending money Bournemouth is nowhereville - wake up and smell the coffee!tracy m wrote:If you were on the ground in Bournemouth in the sixties you would be well aware that families don't come here anymore. In the sixties the town was packed out with tourists throughout the summer on their one or two week holiday, now they go to the Costa's, the loss of most of the hotels in the town and the absence of quality nighttime entertainment in the town is witness to this. Top priority for the council should be to provide for local residents, facilities for weekend visitors and day trippers should be secondary. The days of the British seaside resort are long gone!jobsworthwatch wrote: Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven. By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
T.BH1
says...
9:04am Sat 28 Jan 12
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:'When I were a lad...'
tracy m wrote:As a teenager in the sixties I remember the beach on hot summer days being far busier than in recent times, not just the beach but the whole town. How many hotels were pulled down to make way for the BIC, just look around the town, Bournemouth no longer has the accommodation to support hordes of tourists.
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:So all those people on the beach in the summer are locals?juniperberry wrote:Compared to the 60s it is!The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:Without visitors spending money Bournemouth is nowhereville - wake up and smell the coffee!tracy m wrote:If you were on the ground in Bournemouth in the sixties you would be well aware that families don't come here anymore. In the sixties the town was packed out with tourists throughout the summer on their one or two week holiday, now they go to the Costa's, the loss of most of the hotels in the town and the absence of quality nighttime entertainment in the town is witness to this. Top priority for the council should be to provide for local residents, facilities for weekend visitors and day trippers should be secondary. The days of the British seaside resort are long gone!jobsworthwatch wrote: Cycling should be a central feature in the town. That means a cycle track running alongside the main thoroughfare through the gardens and not hived of to one side. A cycle track through all the chines and on the cliff tops. cycle tracks across the square and pier approach with crossing for pedestrians. And of course cycling on the prom 24/7 would be essential. The council could have spent money upgrading the prom for cycling outside of the piers instead of wasting it on the surf reef.Why doesn't the council make the arthe ea pedestrian free, child free, dog free, mobility scooter free, and car free? I know of cyclists who comment in this paper who would then be in seventh heaven. By the way. will the council consider a discount for all the families they encourage to come to Bournemouth on holiday?
.
Oh shush you.
fedupwithjobsworths
says...
9:15am Sat 28 Jan 12
speedy231278
says...
3:54pm Sat 28 Jan 12
Bournefre
says...
7:42pm Sat 28 Jan 12
dontpupmybackandtellI totally agree. It's the kind of plan that the general public will say they want though, because it sounds like a nice idea - you only have to read some of the comments above to see that.
meitsraining wrote:
Just a few obvious points from a scrutinising council tax payer :
1 Anyone who wants to ride a bike has already got one !
2 How do you get to the bike ?
3 How much will they be charging to park a car to ride a bike ?
4 What do you do when you leave the bike ?
5 How can you go shopping on a bike ?
If they want to do a Boris then just make the whole conurbation a low or no emission zone and charge £100 per day and make public transport FREE
So please waste your council time on something more productive !
.
"I think it sounds like a fantastic idea, cycling is a wonderful activity"
"So would you use the scheme?"
"Oh no, I have my own bicycle."
Ex PHC
says...
8:52pm Sat 28 Jan 12
Olheart
says...
7:31pm Thu 2 Feb 12
The council need to spend money on sorting out what they have first before wasting time and a lot of money putting any bikes for hire in the town centre. A white line and a few signs does NOT equal a cycle lane. Out of interest have a look at http://www.weirdcycl
elanes.co.uk/ some ideas that I’m sure B.B.C can do even better!!!!
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