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CityCycle articles discussion

Started by ozbob, September 10, 2010, 16:17:45 PM

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ozbob

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beauyboy

I went to have a go at the New Farm Park session, except
*  They started packing up 10 minutes early
*  The test course was only about 10m by 6m completely to small to truely test them ???
* the test couse was on grass, who the hell rides on grass ::)

in other words it was completely pointless and not even worth having a go

Donald
www.space4cyclingbne.com
www.cbdbug.org.au

ozbob

From the Courier Mail 18th September 2010 page 40

CityCycles prove safe, speedy and convenient

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ButFli

Well, it seems I am one of 200 then. :D I have my card and I am ready to ride!

The bikes do look a bit girly but I'll get over it.

ozbob

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Braving a bike in Brisbane's CBD

QuoteBraving a bike in Brisbane's CBD
September 20, 2010 - 3:09PM

With Brisbane's controversial bike hire scheme set to launch next month, Courtney Trenwith took one of the new bicycles for a spin around the CBD this morning.

I've ridden a bike many a time but today I learnt there's a huge difference between cycling in suburbia and the city.

Jumping on one of Brisbane City Council's new CityCycle bikes I felt comfortable with the weight, size and manoeuvrability.

The basket came in handy for my umbrella, although some men might argue it's an unnecessary feminine feature.

Pulling away from the soon-to-be opened parking station near the corner of Queen and Wharf streets, I had barely gained my balance before my feet were back on the bitumen.

A pedestrian crossing had forced me to pull up. This little inconvenience occurred again, 200 metres up the road, outside Australia Post.

Combined with traffic lights I soon realised peddling my way around was going to be slower than first thought.

In addition to cars and pedestrians, there were many new things to get used to.

There are one-way streets, bus lanes and traffic-calming devices, considerations a suburban ride does not usually require.

Speed bumps are annoying in a car. They can be painful on a bike, as I learnt in the grounds of QUT.

I'm not sure whether I was supposed to be in the bus lane on Ann Street, but any lane that's closer to the kerb is where I wanted to be. Which causes a problem when you need to turn right from a two-lane road.

Having not personally driven in the CBD, I was not familiar with its maze of one-way streets. It fast became frustrating and added hundreds more peddles to my trip.

Needless to say, I breathed a sign of relief when I rolled into the Botanical Gardens and joined the Bicentennial Bikeway.

This is also where I managed to stop and figure out how to work the gears. The subtle handlebar function is actually easier to use than the standard gear switch - just make sure you read the "how-to guide" before you take off.

I fiddled with the bell (it worked) and the nifty cable that allows the bike to be locked up away from a parking station.

Back on the road, it became clear city drivers also have a lot to learn. For example, dropping off a passenger in a bike lane (which includes a yellow, no stopping, marking) can really cause a drama for cyclists.

Where bike lanes didn't exist, I made sure I stuck as far left as possible, but even that was not enough to appease some drivers who insisted on sharing a lane with me rather than move over one.

One driver swiped past me as I was pulled up at the kerb (no yellow line) and then proceeded to reverse park, with the rear end of their car nudging within centimetres of my front tyre. Rude, was all I could think.

A little bit like the pedestrians who stared at me while we both waited for the lights to give one of us the go ahead.

A person feels small enough being stopped on a bike surrounded on two sides by cars, let alone feeling the inquisitive stare of onlookers standing barely a metre away.

So it seemed to me that while the public cycle program has all the right intentions, users and non-users alike have plenty to learn to ensure it is successful - and safe.

Bike buddies will be on hand at many of about 50 initial parking stations at the beginning of the roll out, on October 1.

Council will provide instruction booklets to users when they sign up, as well as running cycle confidence courses and opportunities to try out the bikes with a trained rider.

No such services, however, are planned for drivers (or pedestrians).

And for novice city road users like me, a study of the one-way streets and no-access roads would be helpful.

For more information, including subscription details, visit www.citycycle.com.au.
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ozbob

From the Courier Mail click here!

CityCycle stations ripped up after being installed back-to-front

Quote

CityCycle stations ripped up after being installed back-to-front
by Ursula Heger

CITYCYCLE stations in Brisbane's inner-city have had to be ripped up only a week before the scheme goes live after they were mistakenly installed back-to-front.

Brisbane City Council yesterday admitted three of the bike stations were being hurriedly repaired despite claiming on Thursday that the stations in question were simply undergoing "works".

The stations, on Margaret St and Charlotte St in the CBD, had been installed back-to-front, which would have made it more difficult for users to lock their rented bikes.

The CityCycle scheme, which will see bikes-for-hire dotted across the inner-city, will operate from October 1.

But only a maximum of 50 of the 150 planned stations, which were planned to be within view of each other, will have been built by the start date.

Deputy Mayor Graham Quirk said yesterday that the irregular stations would be fixed by the operator at no cost to council.

"That was a situation with the contractors, JCDecaux, who were responsible for the installation," he said.

"There was an error made in terms of the placement of the bike racks . . . but that is their responsibility to make good in relation to that and it is part of the contractual arrangement that they should rectify that error."

He said council had directed JCDecaux to have the problems fixed before the scheme opens to the public on October 1.

Opposition leader Shayne Sutton described the problems as "incompetence".

Cr Sutton said the CityCycle scheme had been botched from the start.

"They have botched the implementation of this CityCycle so much they are now digging out the stations they put in only weeks ago," he said.

"This is incompetence through and through and (Lord Mayor) Campbell Newman needs to be held accountable."

JCDecaux did not reply to requests for comment on the issue yesterday.
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Golliwog

Despite the previous faults of the council, I'm going to have to disagree with Cr Sutton on her last comments. Yes this is a stuff up, but it has nothing to do with Council. It was the contractor who installed it wrong. Its also not costing council anything to get it fixed as part of the contract would state that it has to be installed correctly and if not will be fixed at the contractors expense. This is mentioned in the article.
There is no silver bullet... but there is silver buckshot.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

p858snake

What happens when you borrow a bike and go to return it at another station and it's full?

Golliwog

Not sure exactly, but in Paris they seemed to have a utes with trailers/trucks with the capability to carry a bunch of bikes on the back (basically they seemed to have the same stands installed in the tray) which they seemed to be using to transport bikes from the popular drop off points to the popular pick up points. That was at least my understanding of it, I was sight seeing so didn't really stop to watch what the guys with the bike truck were doing.
There is no silver bullet... but there is silver buckshot.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

ozbob

Sign outside BCC building George St



Photograph R Dow 27th September 2010
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ButFli

Quote from: p858snake on September 27, 2010, 16:58:59 PM
What happens when you borrow a bike and go to return it at another station and it's full?
You touch your card at that station and it tells you the nearest station with a spare place. It even shows you a map of how to get there and gives you an extra 15 minutes of free hire.

ozbob

#11
From the Brisbanetimes click here!

On yer bikes - hire scheme hits the road

QuoteOn yer bikes - hire scheme hits the road
Cameron Atfield
October 1, 2010 - 5:50AM

Brisbane's controversial new bike hire scheme will finally see rubber on the road this morning, nearly a year later than first planned.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman had hoped to have the scheme up and running by the end of 2009, but difficulty finding locations suitable for bike docking stations caused significant delays.

This morning, Cr Newman will lead about 100 people - including sporting identities Sara Carrigan, Christopher Scott, Emma Jackson and Duncan Armstrong - on a mass ride using the distinctive CityCycle bikes.

"Today is a great step forward to a cleaner, greener, healthier and less congested Brisbane," Cr Newman said.

"For the budget conscious and those interested in fitness or the environment, CityCycle is a great commuter transport option for those living in or near the inner-city."

Cr Newman said CityCycle was the first new mode of public transport offered in Brisbane since former lord mayor Jim Soorley launched the CityCat ferry service in 1996.

About 500 bikes will be in circulation today able to use 50 stations. Eventually, there will be 2000 bikes over 150 stations.

The controversial scheme has not been without critics.

In August, couriers took strike action over lost loading zones and inner-city residents have also bemoaned the loss of car parking space.

Council opposition leader Shayne Sutton said the implementation of the scheme had been botched and there remained serious safety concerns.

"Campbell Newman has already admitted that accidents between motorists and CityCycle cyclists are inevitable and that is a huge concern for me," she said.

"CityCycle will only be successful if there are safe, designated bikeways for cyclists to use, but Campbell Newman has made no attempt to create a safe environment in the inner-city areas where this scheme will operate."

But Cr Newman said measures had been undertaken to make the inner-city more cycle friendly.

"We reduced the speed limit on CBD streets to 40km/h in readiness for this scheme, but we have also installed new Bicycle Awareness Zones and 'share the road' signage, as well as road markings to make cycling in the CBD as safe as possible," he said.

Cr Newman said those wanting to use CityCycle needed to subscribe online at www.citycycle.com.au and ensure they had a helmet.

Users can purchase an annual ($60.50), quarterly ($27.50) or casual ($11) subscription.

There would be no additional charge for subscribers for any trip less than 30 minutes.
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ozbob

From the Courier Mail click here!

Wheels in motion for Brisbane's CityCycle scheme

QuoteWheels in motion for Brisbane's CityCycle scheme

    * Ursula Heger
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * October 01, 2010 12:00AM

BRISBANE'S first bikes-for-hire scheme will be launched today, with more than 500 of the custom-built bicycles available across the inner city.

When complete early next year, the scheme will give residents and tourists access to more than 2000 cycles to get around inner city suburbs and the CBD.

The CityCycle launch was originally expected at the start of the year, but had to be delayed after the scheme's operator JCDecaux, was unable to secure bike station locations.

About 50 of the 150 bike stations will have been built by today, with 115 operational by the end of the year. A further 35 will be rolled out next year.

CityCycle has faced a backlash from some inner-city residents, with more than 190 prized on-street parking spaces removed to make way for the stations.

Users can subscribe or pay per trip. Fees for the first hour are $2.20, rising to $6.05 for the first 90 minutes, and $165 for 24 hours.

Council said the bikes were designed for short trips and those who return bicycles in less than 30 minutes are not charged.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the scheme was the first new mode of public transport to be launched since CityCats hit the water in 1996.

''In Brisbane more than 30 per cent of all trips currently taken by private vehicles are less than 3km and 50 per cent are less than 5km,'' Cr Newman said.

JCDecaux will use 177 illuminated advertising panels and 25 billboards, to be erected across New Farm, Spring Hill, the CBD, South Brisbane and West End, to advertise the bikes.

Inspired by a similar scheme in Paris, CityCycle is part of $100 million of funding for new bikeway infrastructure across the city over the next four years.
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ButFli

But where are the bikes? No bikes at my station this morning! No bikes at the next one either?

I've also be told that even if I got a bike, I could arrive at another station that appears ready for use and is listed as active on the CityCycle website but is not able to accept bikes. I would have to find another station but because I don't have an iPhone so I can't use the CityCycle app so I can't tell where the nearest operation station is.

This is turning out to be a farce.

Otto

First thing this morning, I saw between 4 to 6 bikes at each station around Adelaide st and about 100 neatly parked bikes outside City Hall. I even counted 3 bikes in use around Adelaide Street.
7 years at Bayside Buses
33 years at Transport for Brisbane
Retired and got bored.
1 year at Town and Country Coaches and having a ball !

ozbob

From the Courier Mail click here!

Mixed reviews for Brisbane CityCycle's maiden ride

QuoteMixed reviews for Brisbane CityCycle's maiden ride

   * Andrew MacDonald
   * From: The Courier-Mail
   * October 02, 2010 12:41AM

BRISBANE'S first public short-term bike hire scheme has debuted to mixed reviews from city workers.

The CityCycle program, which will ultimately result in about 2000 bikes distributed among 150 stations across the inner-city, was launched yesterday when about 150 cyclists joined Lord Mayor Campbell Newman on a ride through the CBD.

Afterwards, 45 hire stations were opened for business and about 500 of the custom-built bikes became available.

City information technology worker Paul Gorrel said he liked the idea but preferred a similar system in Montreal, which he believed was more appealing to short-term users.

''(One day use there) is $C5 and you can ride for an hour without any extra charge,'' he said. ''You basically swiped your credit card and it just worked from there. I think the price (here) will deter the ad-hoc user.''

Public servant Sarah Leahy said she bought a three-month subscription three weeks ago and was excited about using the bikes.

''I just thought this would be a good way to get fit and roam around during my lunch hours,'' she said.

When the partnership with CityCycle operator JC Decaux was announced last January Brisbane City Council forecast the project would cost ratepayers about $1.5 million. It has since confirmed the expense will be closer to $8 million over four years.

Cr Newman said JC Decaux was hoping for about 12,000 registrations after one year. However, by Thursday this week, only about 540 people had subscribed.

''I expect it to be a slow start,'' Cr Newman said.

Unlike similar systems in Melbourne, France and Canada, riders cannot use their credit cards to rent bikes.

They must instead go online and subscribe to the scheme, which costs $11 for one day, $27.50 for three months and $60.50 for a year.

The service is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.20 for the first hour but skyrockets to $165 for 10 or more hours.

Once cyclists have registered, they can use their subscription cards to hire bikes between 5am and 10pm at CityCycle stations.

All 150 CityCycle stations are expected to be completed sometime next year.  Cyclists are required to supply their own helmet.
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Jonno

Great scheme/idea but had teething issues including no real improvement of bike lanes in the CBD.  Yet another project by the Lord Mayor that is way way way over budget

Golliwog

People are starting to realise how didgey the BCC's financial situation is though. The article the other day was a big pointer saying rates were going up, yet they are trying to cuts staff costs. I cannot see how they plan to run an ever expanding bus network without hiring more drivers. Unless the current drivers aren't working much per week. They even stated that their method for cutting staff costs was to let staff numbers drop by natural attrition so if drivers leave then they won't be hiring any replacements. Perhaps its time they took down all the "We want you to drive this bus" signs off the backs of the buses?
There is no silver bullet... but there is silver buckshot.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

ButFli

5 minutes after I posted on Friday about my disappointment at there being no bikes at my station a truck turned up and unloaded eight of them.

I had a long story typed out about my adventures in trying to get it to work, but I'll save you all a long read. The basic summary is that after numerous phone calls to the help line and a visit to the CityCycle office, I still can't use the station outside my house or the station at the shops (and neither can anyone else). It seems like the card reader is broken on these stations. Bikes can be returned to these stations fine but unless someone with a daily subscription comes along the bikes are stuck there forever. The CityCycler staff are real friendly and even gave me an extra week on my subscription because of my troubles.

I went for a ride today in the rain. The bikes are real nice and easy to ride. They are certainly not meant for speed but are very comfortable to sit upright on (like a lay-dee) and cruise at a comfortable pace with less effort than walking. My only criticism is that they probably need one lower gear because it is quite an effort to get up the slopes on the Goodwill and Kurilpa Bridges. Nothing I can't handle, of course, but definitely harder than walking.

So yeah, hopefully those two stations can be fixed up soon and CityCycle will be the best thing ever to happen to Brisbane. Actually I was thinking they could build a CityCycle station at the airport and that really would be the best thing ever.

Otto

If anyone can try it, I would like to know how easy/difficult it is to ride a citycycle bike along Creek St from Adelaide St to Ann St.
7 years at Bayside Buses
33 years at Transport for Brisbane
Retired and got bored.
1 year at Town and Country Coaches and having a ball !

ozbob

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ozbob

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson

It took nine attempts, but City Cycle still receives the thumbs up from Tae

Click --> here!
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haakon

Quote from: Otto on October 03, 2010, 19:31:35 PM
If anyone can try it, I would like to know how easy/difficult it is to ride a citycycle bike along Creek St from Adelaide St to Ann St.


oooh that's a steep one. I'll see what I can do once my access card arrives.

ozbob

Roma St bike station











Photographs R Dow 5th October 2010
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haakon

Got my Citycycle RFID card in the mail today, will try to ride up creek st tomorrow.

Jonno

I work on creek street so let me know when!!!!  ;D;D

haakon

Gave it a go, today.

End of queen st Mall to halfway up the hill on Wharf St and then back again an hour or so later.

I deliberately didn't read any of the manuals or website FAQ before giving it a go to see how intuitive the system is.

Easy as, followed the instructions on screen and checked out a bike successfully.  :-t

Checking in the first time I was a little hesitant that it had worked. The screen said look for the green light, but I didn't catch on that the light surrounds the button. The second time I returned the bike I had worked that out.

The low range gear was fine for getting up the hills, any lower and some people might have problems maintaining their balance.

Also I discovered I am not as fit as I thought I was  ;D

So to everyone here I say get on ya bike  :bi

Otto

I bought a bike helmet today.... ( Aldi Special )
7 years at Bayside Buses
33 years at Transport for Brisbane
Retired and got bored.
1 year at Town and Country Coaches and having a ball !

ozbob

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane bike scheme take-up doubles

QuoteBrisbane bike scheme take-up doubles
Tony Moore
October 8, 2010 - 3:41PM

About 1100 people have signed up to Brisbane's new bike hire scheme after its first week of operation.

The program, which also runs in Melbourne and 90 other countries around the world, started last Friday with 540 subscribers.

Brisbane City Council is aiming for 12,000 devotees within 12 months, requiring about 230 people to join up each week.

"We had about 260 use them on the first day and we're getting about 60 people a day joining now," a council spokeswoman said.

Statistics are being compiled to judge the most popular locations.

The council has said it is "reasonably pleased" with the response considering the recent wet weather.

Staff have not recorded any significant damage to bikes, although some have been "badly parked".

"We have had a small number of people who have incorrectly tried to lock them into the stations," the spokeswoman said.

The majority of the 1100 subscribers have taken out 12-month memberships, while a smaller number have signed up for three months.

Brisbane's CityCycle scheme started with 500 bikes in 50 stations throughout the central city, West End and Fortitude Valley.

Private operator JC Decaux plans to have bikes at 78 stations by Christmas and 2000 bikes at 150 stations once the scheme is complete.

No helmets are provided with bikes, although the first 2000 subscribers receive a free one.

Bicycling Victoriahas said their experience was that local users provided their own helmets.

The CityCycle scheme costs $60.50 to subscribe for 12 months, $27.50 per quarter, or $11 per day. If you ride for 30 minutes no extra charges apply.
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haakon

Free helmet? I am one of the first 1000 subscribers, I don't recall being offered a free helmet. The option to purchase one yes, but not a free one. I did get a free bag to keep my helmet in though.

ButFli

Yeah same. I have a very low subscriber number but was only offered the opportunity to purchase a helmet.



One interesting thing I heard today: Out of all the public bike hire schemes like CityCycle that operate, Melbourne and Brisbane are the only ones where a helmet is required by law. Mexico City did have a mandatory helmet law but were smart enough to change it. Melbourne's scheme has pretty much failed and they are looking at all sorts of crazy schemes like fold-up helmets made from cardboard and vending machines that loan helmets with disposable hair nets. Quite ridiculous if you ask me. Will Brisbane be smart enough to see the light? Let's hope so.

ozbob

#31
We have received feedback expressing concerns with pedestrian safety.

It is timely to remind cyclists that:

QuoteCan I ride on a road or footpath?

Bicycles are permitted to travel on the road, and also footpaths in certain circumstances.

Cyclists must use a bicycle lane unless it is impractical to do so.

When riding on a footpath or shared path, the rider must keep to the left and must give way to any pedestrian on the path.

Cyclists must not ride on a footpath where there is a NO BICYCLES sign.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Queensland-Road-Rules/Bicycle-rules.aspx#footpath

And ..

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/cycling/cycling-rules-and-signs/index.htm

QuoteTypes of pathways

There are four different types of paths, indicated by signs:

  1. Shared paths – a path for all users
  2. Separated paths – a path dedicated for pedestrians only and a path dedicated to bicycles, electric bikes and wheeled recreational devices
  3. Bicycle paths – a path dedicated to bicycles, electric bikes and wheeled recreational devices
  4. Footpaths – a path which may be used by all users, however, pedestrians have right of way
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PhilipM

Quote from: ozbob on October 09, 2010, 07:13:00 AM
We have received feedback expressing concerns with pedestrian safety.

It is timely to remind cyclists that:

QuoteCan I ride on a road or footpath?

Bicycles are permitted to travel on the road, and also footpaths in certain circumstances.

Cyclists must use a bicycle lane unless it is impractical to do so.

When riding on a footpath or shared path, the rider must keep to the left and must give way to any pedestrian on the path.

Cyclists must not ride on a footpath where there is a NO BICYCLES sign.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Queensland-Road-Rules/Bicycle-rules.aspx#footpath

And ..

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/cycling/cycling-rules-and-signs/index.htm

QuoteTypes of pathways

There are four different types of paths, indicated by signs:

  1. Shared paths – a path for all users
  2. Separated paths – a path dedicated for pedestrians only and a path dedicated to bicycles, electric bikes and wheeled recreational devices
  3. Bicycle paths – a path dedicated to bicycles, electric bikes and wheeled recreational devices
  4. Footpaths – a path which may be used by all users, however, pedestrians have right of way

Good points. But where are the bicycle paths in the inner city?

What I would like to see is a comprehensive network of bike paths designed for comfortable not fast riding, and the helmet law lifted in that zone, since riding would no longer be hazardous. Once we see this in action, there would naturally be demand to roll the network out to the rest of the city.

Our current bike path strategy is almost entirely high-speed bikeways that encourage the Lycra-loonies to ride peleton-style at maximum speed. They need helmets for the same reason as you need a helmet in the Tour de France. Most of the rest of the city if there's anything at all for bikes has a bit of paint on the regular roads, often merged with parking.

PS: for those interested in electric bikes, here's http://sustainablejamboree.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=1 a bulk-buy that's knocking $700 off the price of a good e-bike, bringing it down to $1600. Latest from the supplier: they will guarantee the $1600 price even if they don't make it to target 50 orders. I've ordered one, but have no financial interest, just passing on something others may find interesting.

ButFli

I find it strange that someone could complain about "lycra-loonies" and advocate the use of electric bikes in the same post.

I'm also gonna put it out there that it's correct that "lycra-loonies" need a helmet on Brisbane's bikeways and in the Tour de France for the same reason - not wearing one is illegal in Brisbane and agains UCI rules. Don't think for a minute that professional cyclists were wearing helmets before they were compelled to.

ozbob

From the Courier Mail click here!

Wobbly start to Brisbane's CityCycle scheme after first week

QuoteWobbly start to Brisbane's CityCycle scheme after first week

    * by Ursula Heger
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * October 12, 2010 12:00AM

BRISBANE'S bike-hire scheme has struggled through teething problems in its first week, with some riders unable to use their subscriptions and others incorrectly locking bikes into stations not yet brought online.

The CityCycle scheme launched just over a week ago with about a third of stations open across the inner city holding 500 bikes-for-hire.

When the system is complete early next year, 2000 bikes will be available at 150 stations spread between St Lucia and Newstead.

Brisbane City Council said that more than 650 subscriptions had been received for the scheme last week, with 1100 users in total signed up for the program.

But Council said there were difficulties in the first week of operation with faulty cards issued to some users.

"There have been a very small number of faulty cards – subscribers have been re-issued new cards, and now all cards are being tested 'live' before being mailed to subscribers," a spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said some bikes had also been incorrectly returned to stations which were not live – resulting in some customers being overcharged.

She said that all users had been refunded for the problem, and the stations involved were now locked.

Public and Active chair Margaret de Wit said the first week's subscribers had been encouraging.

"Our subscription numbers have more than doubled since the scheme was launched . . . and its great to see people out there giving it a go," she said.

"We're confident that as people begin to realise the time and cost saving benefits of CityCycle and see other people using it, subscriptions will continue to grow."

But Opposition leader Shayne Sutton said the scheme had not been implemented properly.

"We know people have had trouble unlocking and re-locking bikes from the CityCycle stations. We've also heard many people have been frustrated to find that some CityCycle stations aren't up and running – even though Council is promoting them," she said.

"This scheme has been plagued by safety concerns, community opposition, budget blowouts, delays in delivery and a shoddy implementation, and many of these concerns still remain."
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Golliwog

Does it really take that much to put up a sign at each of the closed stations, saying they are closed?
There is no silver bullet... but there is silver buckshot.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

ButFli

I'm guessing that in the majority of cases the stations were actually signed or otherwise marked as being under construction, but some users having already ridden for half an hour decided they would return their bikes there anyway. The locking action is mechanical but I guess these people assumed that because their bike was now locked to a station it was all-good.

Also the high number of faulty cards may not all have been faulty. There were a number of stations close together in New Farm with faulty card readers. They appeared to function normally except holding a card up to the reader did nothing. Users who rang the call centre reporting their "card not working" at one of these stations were told where the nearest station was, asked to try there, and if it didn't work there the card must be faulty and will need to be replaced. Of course the nearest station people were told about also had a faulty card reader and produced the same result. Cards were then replaced on the assumption that they were faulty but did not arrive in the post until up to 5 days later, by which time the faulty card readers had been repaired, so people assumed that the replacement card was the fix. I was offered the opportunity to pick up a new card from the CityCycle office on the same day. My card was tested and worked but I was issued a replacement anyway. This replacement did not work with the "broken" stations. The only reason I figured out I didn't have another dud card was because I went further afield to try a new station.

So yeah, faulty stations not faulty cards.

ozbob

From the Sun Herald 24th October 2010 page 17

Get on your bike and ride, son

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Sunbus610

QuoteState Parliament tells Campbell Newman to rack off: We don't want CityCycle station here
Anna Caldwell   |   The Courier-Mail   |   28 October 2010

THE State Government will consider drafting new laws to stop Lord Mayor Campbell Newman putting his CityCycle scheme in the Parliament House forecourt.

Speaker John Mickel told State Parliament this morning that Cr Newman had plans to install billboards, lights and two CityCycle stations in the George Street forecourt.
Mr Mickel said he had always rejected proposal because it could interfere with the heritage value of Parliament house.

Mr Mickel said after several meetings earlier this year, he was under the impression Cr Newman had canned the plans to impose CityCycle material in the George St forecourt.

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Proud to be a Sunshine Coaster ..........

#Metro

Is it really that bad? Why, by that argument the cars in that forecourt should be removed too.
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

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