In a review of the new bike sharing program in London, The Economist raises the question of whether the city wrongly predicted the existing demand for the service.
Peak demand has been less than half of what officials expected. But those running the program argue it's still in its early stages.
"Some observers wonder whether TfL has fundamentally misjudged the nature of bike demand. Its own feasibility study, published in 2008, acknowledged that the scheme could not afford to cater for the "after-rail" market (ie, longer-distance railway passengers wanting to finish their journeys by bike), lest it be swamped by the number of commuters arriving in London every morning. Docking stations were deliberately placed away from big railway terminals. But rail commuters appear to have piled onto the bikes anyway."
FULL STORY: Grit in the gears
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This is How the British Started Cycling More
Cycling has never felt more relevant or encouraged in the UK. Since May, the London Councils have upgraded 60 km of bike lanes in the capital city, added 20,000 square metres of extra pavement space, and installed 1,500+ additional cycle parking.
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Bike sharing and rental systems are becoming more inclusive, considering the needs of those with disabilities and children. And systems are expanding based different uses people have for different types of bicycles.
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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