Montreal's Public Bikes To Use Web, RFID, Solar 146
Ian Lamont writes "Montreal is preparing to launch a Web- and RFID-enabled public bike system that allows residents and visitors to rent bicycles at special depots scattered throughout the city. Using a Web site, riders can check out a real-time inventory of available bicycles at the depot locations. At the depots, a solar-powered base station will process credit cards or member cards. The bike docks use RFID, and the system is supposedly easy to install and maintain. A pilot program will launch in September with four bike depots."
Isn't it just another iteration of Paris' Velib? (Score:1, Informative)
It sounds awfully like... exactly the same thing. But in Paris you can use them 12 months a year. In Montreal, as soon as the ground ice-freezes or more than 50cm of snow accumulates, the bikes will basically become useless.
-> http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/comment_ca_marche
Julien
Re:power (Score:5, Informative)
KISS and Keep It Cheap.
Some of the biggest issues with public bikes is vandalism, people not returning the bikes or plain old carelessny. Attaching some probably expensive power generrator thingie to the bikes? Bad idea. At a time it was so bad here, they considered making it members only. Not that membership involved much more than basicly getting your personal card, but it'd ruin the use for tourists and such. In the end we didn't have to, but you call tell by the bike type what it's all about. Cheap, sturdy bike with no gears designed for moving in the flat city only, it's as stripped as it gets.
Re:mmmmmk (Score:5, Informative)
I'm sure the people in charge of this project in Montreal would have looked at examples from other cities where these systems already exist, and deemed this sort of protection necessary, there's no need to get all worked up about it being some huge conspiracy to track citizens around the city, after all, it's mostly used by people enjoying a quiet stroll around the city on a nice day, I doubt much confidential information can be extracted by tracking bikes driving through parks.
Seems to work in Sweden... (Score:5, Informative)
We have had this [wikipedia.org] in sweden for a while now. It seems to be pretty successful. I have not used it, as i have my own bike, but i see a lot of people ridnig around on them.
Re:mmmmmk (Score:3, Informative)
The system doesn't explicitly track the bikes, but knows on which station is each bike, or if it is in use, which user has it.
The most you could get is a database of points between which each user moves. For example, I mostly move between two stations: one next to the train station and one next to my working place.
The linking between the bike and the user is to enforce a maximum time of use, after which an economic penalty occurs.
I think two sets of RFIDs are in place. One on the user cards and one on the bikes. When you want a bike, you swipe your card in front of a terminal and the system links a bike to you and tells you which one to pick. However, when you return a bike, you only place it in it's "cradle", since the bike ID is linked to you.
Re:Before you dismiss it.... (Score:5, Informative)
It will be the 1 year anniversary of the Velib system in Paris in a few weeks time.
I was looking at the figures the other day - there are over 20,000 bikes now [100% more than when launched] - and 1,450 stations.
It seems to be a very mixed demographic that uses them - you'll see a lot of students, and a lot of older folk as well.
From my point of view, there definitely seem to be less tourists using them - it may catch on though.
The system, however, is fantastic. Most people over here don't have enough space to have their own bike, and being able to grab one to ride to a friend's house, or shorten a walk home, or simply take advantage of a sunny day, for 1 Euro - fantastic.
And, summer brings girls in sundresses onto bicycles!
Re:Isn't it just another iteration of Paris' Velib (Score:2, Informative)
Paris wasn't the first city in France to implement those (unless you count the RATP short-lived bike rental service, with probably a total of fifty bikes in the entire city at its peak). Lyon at least predated Vélib with its Vélov system. Yeah, dunno why the apostrophe trend.
The project currently being pushed by Delanoë (mayor of Paris) is also noteworthy : the goal is to have the same system as Vélib, but with cars. Dunno if it will work as well, though, since you still need a license to drive them (at least I hope).
Re:They only get a few months.. (Score:2, Informative)
Not to mention that Montreal clears the bike paths of snow and publishes a list of which paths are cleared.
Also, 9 times out of 10, it isn't snowing and the roads a clear. Winter cycling really isn't very hard at all. It sure beats standing still waiting for the #$@&! bus.
- RG>
Mod Parent DOWN (Score:2, Informative)
Perhaps you have never ridden a bike in the winter, which is why you're such an expert on it? I've never had my wheels "suddenly just jerk sideways". If you have, maybe you're going too fast for the conditions.
Also, you actually have to dress as though it's a lot warmer when winter cycling, because the physical activity makes you very warm very fast. Yes, you need to cover your hands and feet, but there are plenty of ways to do that. I use winter boots, and they work just fine.
But thanks for the FUD.
- RG>
Re:Limited Mobility Users? (Score:4, Informative)
it's also possible the bicycles could be the three wheeled variety. I see them around these parts from time to time for people that can't stand for long periods of time. Usually a large basket on the front too so they can do minor shopping etc.
I was also very surprised to see TWO bikes in the last month being ridden by paraplegics. (no legs) The bikes look a bit like recumbents in that their seat is very close to the ground. The energy is supplied by a cam system on the handlebars, which moves back and forth in addition to twisting for steering. The forward and backward motion moves the bike. Those two had some serious muscle in their arms, and could easily keep pace with others. Beats the heck out of a wheelchair and is an uplifting sight to see on the bicycle trails.
Always remember... (Score:3, Informative)