Comments on: The Biggest, Baddest Bike-Share in the World: Hangzhou China http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/ Documenting Livable Streets Worldwide Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Noone http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-265209 Noone Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:59:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-265209 Hey No Mama -  When you are Perfect and have made the entire world perfect just like you in your own perfect image then bring your critisism! Until then, either Shut the F Up or stop by my place some afternoon and I'll be happy to either educate you so you can make nice contributions or I'll break your fingers so you have to type with a pencil in your mouth and drink through a straw....      I was born in CO, went to CU in Boulder (a very Bike Friendly City!) and lived in Phoenix and San Jose for many years where bike riders are run over without hesitation...  I have now been living here in Hangzhou since 2008.   This city is densley packed like NYC or downtown SF.  It is not spread out like other 'Big' cities.  The purpose of the Bike program in this city is to close "The last Klick Gap" between a person's starting and finishing points.  It is very convenient to get off a city bus, or exit from one of the newly opened Subway stations, grab a "Free" bike and ride to your destination.  I use this service all the time and as I keep my check out to return time under 1 hour I pay nothing for the rental fee.  The Bikes themselves are adequate for the purpose they are intended to serve.  There is a large staff of roving workers who maintain them by adjusting brakes, oiling chains, checking and adding air to tires, etc.  They also have a few buses they use to redistribute all the bikes that collect at one location as a result of some event such as a sports activity at the Dragon Sports Stadium.  All told, the system works well as it provides people with a convenient alternative to using a car (I suppose you'd cry and bitch if your friends, assuming you have any, offered to loan you theirs because they have VW's and not BMW's....) and deters bicycle theft.  They are not intended to be used for pleasure, senic trips around West Lake or locked in your apartment for months waiting for you to return or ride it again.  If you want a nice touring bike, then go rent or buy one; they are alos available at the nice bike stores.  And after your's is stolen, you can use one of the orange Hangzhou free bikes to get home.   Or better yet, just walk because I don't want you to get the last bike on the rack and leave me walking because I appreciate the service and the system and understand the need to be a little more careful and try to be a lot more respectful...   But I also had a great Mama who taught me a lot of lessons that you obviously missed or need to have beaten into you.  So in closing, let me say; you stay in Europe where you think you belong (I'm sure they'd like to toss you and your bad attitude out from there too) and stay the Hell out of my beautiful city of Hangzhou.  To everyone else, please come see my city, enjoy the sites, look me up if you want to have a beer beside West Lake and be both respectful and careful if you use our free bicycles! Take care and Peace >  Hangzhou Bill  Hey No Mama -  When you are Perfect and have made the entire world perfect just like you in your own perfect image then bring your critisism! Until then, either Shut the F Up or stop by my place some afternoon and I'll be happy to either educate you so you can make nice contributions or I'll break your fingers so you have to type with a pencil in your mouth and drink through a straw....      I was born in CO, went to CU in Boulder (a very Bike Friendly City!) and lived in Phoenix and San Jose for many years where bike riders are run over without hesitation...  I have now been living here in Hangzhou since 2008.   This city is densley packed like NYC or downtown SF.  It is not spread out like other 'Big' cities.  The purpose of the Bike program in this city is to close "The last Klick Gap" between a person's starting and finishing points.  It is very convenient to get off a city bus, or exit from one of the newly opened Subway stations, grab a "Free" bike and ride to your destination.  I use this service all the time and as I keep my check out to return time under 1 hour I pay nothing for the rental fee.  The Bikes themselves are adequate for the purpose they are intended to serve.  There is a large staff of roving workers who maintain them by adjusting brakes, oiling chains, checking and adding air to tires, etc.  They also have a few buses they use to redistribute all the bikes that collect at one location as a result of some event such as a sports activity at the Dragon Sports Stadium.  All told, the system works well as it provides people with a convenient alternative to using a car (I suppose you'd cry and bitch if your friends, assuming you have any, offered to loan you theirs because they have VW's and not BMW's....) and deters bicycle theft.  They are not intended to be used for pleasure, senic trips around West Lake or locked in your apartment for months waiting for you to return or ride it again.  If you want a nice touring bike, then go rent or buy one; they are alos available at the nice bike stores.  And after your's is stolen, you can use one of the orange Hangzhou free bikes to get home.   Or better yet, just walk because I don't want you to get the last bike on the rack and leave me walking because I appreciate the service and the system and understand the need to be a little more careful and try to be a lot more respectful...   But I also had a great Mama who taught me a lot of lessons that you obviously missed or need to have beaten into you.  So in closing, let me say; you stay in Europe where you think you belong (I'm sure they'd like to toss you and your bad attitude out from there too) and stay the Hell out of my beautiful city of Hangzhou.  To everyone else, please come see my city, enjoy the sites, look me up if you want to have a beer beside West Lake and be both respectful and careful if you use our free bicycles!
Take care and Peace >  Hangzhou Bill 

]]> By: Howzez http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-264902 Howzez Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:57:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-264902  Sorry, but most Chinese I know are smaller framed than Europeans.  When a bike is sitting in open, of course it gets squeeky.  Gears are good for hills, but maybe Hangzhou China doesn't need them.  Sorry, but most Chinese I know are smaller framed than Europeans.  When a bike is sitting in open, of course it gets squeeky.  Gears are good for hills, but maybe Hangzhou China doesn't need them.

]]> By: Elainebaby1229 http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-264715 Elainebaby1229 Sun, 13 May 2012 14:10:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-264715 I am from Hangzhou and I reckon the purpose of sharing the bike is for public benefits therefore size might just suitable for chinese people. Additionally, people from southern part of China are more skinner and smaller than the northern therefore, the size is not suitable for you. I would reckon as times goes by, Hangzhou government would realize it. Hope you can travel to Hangzhou again ! Hangzhou Welcome you  I am from Hangzhou and I reckon the purpose of sharing the bike is for public benefits therefore size might just suitable for chinese people. Additionally, people from southern part of China are more skinner and smaller than the northern therefore, the size is not suitable for you. I would reckon as times goes by, Hangzhou government would realize it. Hope you can travel to Hangzhou again ! Hangzhou Welcome you 

]]> By: 549476451 http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-264681 549476451 Wed, 02 May 2012 08:58:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-264681 joke???un-rideable??Have you ever ridden one? London? Have u compared the price??? if u are a chinese, i'm ashamed of you!!! joke???un-rideable??Have you ever ridden one? London? Have u compared the price??? if u are a chinese, i'm ashamed of you!!!

]]> By: Olavo http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-264493 Olavo Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:56:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-264493 Well, we can't see that on the videos. Although the bikes aren't the best the point of having 50000 bikes is that on the other side you could have none, as we don't have here in São Paulo, Brasil. Vélib in Paris share the same problem of quality bikes which are too heavy and clumsy. But the maintenance is a Herculean job itself so Kudos for all shared bikes iniciatives around the World. Well, we can't see that on the videos. Although the bikes aren't the best the point of having 50000 bikes is that on the other side you could have none, as we don't have here in São Paulo, Brasil. Vélib in Paris share the same problem of quality bikes which are too heavy and clumsy. But the maintenance is a Herculean job itself so Kudos for all shared bikes iniciatives around the World.

]]> By: lordnelson http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263927 lordnelson Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:32:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263927  Evan...you are a tool  Evan...you are a tool

]]> By: kimjonil http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263832 kimjonil Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:09:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263832 The bike rental scheme in Hangzhou is just there so China can claim the title of largest bike rental system in the world. What this title fails to take into account is the quality of the bikes that are available to rent. What is the point in having 50,000 bikes to rent if they are all such poor quality that they are virtually un-rideable? Bicycle rental schemes have a responsibility to provide bikes that are fit for purpose, safe and a pleasure to ride. Having used Hangzhous rental bikes I can safely say this is far from achieved by it.  Good, well maintained nice bikes will turn people into cycling advocates and send a message out that cycling is both a pleasure and a sensible way of exploring a city. Crap bikes just send out the message that cycling is a waste of time. In comparison to the bikes on the Barcelona, Seville, London and Paris rental schemes these bikes in Hangzhou are a joke.  The bike rental scheme in Hangzhou is just there so China can claim the title of largest bike rental system in the world. What this title fails to take into account is the quality of the bikes that are available to rent.

What is the point in having 50,000 bikes to rent if they are all such poor quality that they are virtually un-rideable? Bicycle rental schemes have a responsibility to provide bikes that are fit for purpose, safe and a pleasure to ride. Having used Hangzhous rental bikes I can safely say this is far from achieved by it. 

Good, well maintained nice bikes will turn people into cycling advocates and send a message out that cycling is both a pleasure and a sensible way of exploring a city. Crap bikes just send out the message that cycling is a waste of time.

In comparison to the bikes on the Barcelona, Seville, London and Paris rental schemes these bikes in Hangzhou are a joke. 

]]> By: Charlie http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263830 Charlie Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:20:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263830 Wow - I just saw this article the very day I came back from Hangzhou, having spent a day biking around the lake on a public bike. Yes, tourists can rent them - but a word of warning: the bikes are pretty small, not really big enough for a largish western-sized male. I had my knees around my ears the whole time. And fairly poor quality - squeaky chains, naff brakes, no gears etc. But definitely better than nothing ... Wow - I just saw this article the very day I came back from Hangzhou, having spent a day biking around the lake on a public bike. Yes, tourists can rent them - but a word of warning: the bikes are pretty small, not really big enough for a largish western-sized male. I had my knees around my ears the whole time. And fairly poor quality - squeaky chains, naff brakes, no gears etc. But definitely better than nothing ...

]]> By: Oileanach http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263634 Oileanach Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:52:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263634 I don't know how it works in China, but in London UK and Toronto Canada the system involves small trucks with flatbed trailers to redistribute the bikes as some stations fill and others run low. I don't know how it works in China, but in London UK and Toronto Canada the system involves small trucks with flatbed trailers to redistribute the bikes as some stations fill and others run low.

]]> By: Shelley http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263521 Shelley Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263521 I was in Hangzhou last summer and saw shade tents over the bike lanes near intersections so people can rest out of the sun while waiting for the green light.  so smart! Can tourists rent the bikes? It would have been so nice to go around the lake by bike! I was in Hangzhou last summer and saw shade tents over the bike lanes near intersections so people can rest out of the sun while waiting for the green light.  so smart!

Can tourists rent the bikes? It would have been so nice to go around the lake by bike!

]]> By: Ari k http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263431 Ari k Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:39:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263431 Did you notice so few helmets?  I've commuted solely by bike for 15 years in San Francisco and NYC.   Wearing a helmet is the worst part.  It reminds you of the danger. I've never fallen where my helmet saved my life, but it only takes one fall, so I where it every ride.  I ride fast, I want to get exercise and get where I'm going.  BUt in this video, I see the slow speeds people are going, and the short distances, and the separated roadway...  I'm betting the accident rate is low.   I can see it working here, going from Old Navy to the Ferry Building, a doctor appt in Union square, to Cancun burrito.   Academy of Sciences to Beach Chalet and back. Did you notice so few helmets?  I've commuted solely by bike for 15 years in San Francisco and NYC.   Wearing a helmet is the worst part.  It reminds you of the danger. I've never fallen where my helmet saved my life, but it only takes one fall, so I where it every ride.  I ride fast, I want to get exercise and get where I'm going.  BUt in this video, I see the slow speeds people are going, and the short distances, and the separated roadway...  I'm betting the accident rate is low.   I can see it working here, going from Old Navy to the Ferry Building, a doctor appt in Union square, to Cancun burrito.   Academy of Sciences to Beach Chalet and back.

]]> By: rabi maharjan http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263274 rabi maharjan Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:42:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263274 i'm of the victimazed of that bike-share during my office hours.Its been used to ever since i joined my job but i really don't know its real benefits . I wondered reading this news article .hopefully i been doing part of job for protection of environment .thanx. i'm of the victimazed of that bike-share during my office hours.Its been used to ever since i joined my job but i really don't know its real benefits . I wondered reading this news article .hopefully i been doing part of job for protection of environment .thanx.

]]> By: Lindyspice http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263247 Lindyspice Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:28:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263247 I remember seeing random bicycle repair stands set up on the streets when I was traveling in China, too. One question regarding the public share system though: what happens when a station is full and there's no open slot to "return" your rental?  Are there system attendants who shuffle the fleet around to maintain a good distribution and prevent pileups at more popular destinations, or does it happen naturally because there are so many people using the bikes? I remember seeing random bicycle repair stands set up on the streets when I was traveling in China, too. One question regarding the public share system though: what happens when a station is full and there's no open slot to "return" your rental?  Are there system attendants who shuffle the fleet around to maintain a good distribution and prevent pileups at more popular destinations, or does it happen naturally because there are so many people using the bikes?

]]> By: Mozares http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263154 Mozares Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:33:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263154 So the question is if there is growing bike use in China or its going down.. So the question is if there is growing bike use in China or its going down..

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263066 Anonymous Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:23:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263066 They are actually mostly electric bikes but yes something new to navigate. They are actually mostly electric bikes but yes something new to navigate.

]]> By: hachen http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-263040 hachen Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:06:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-263040 Ha, I used it three years ago when the project just began. Glad to know it becomes more available in the beautiful city. Ha, I used it three years ago when the project just began. Glad to know it becomes more available in the beautiful city.

]]> By: Anony http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-262970 Anony Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:02:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-262970 Great video. Impressive system. But it looks like they have a lot of motorcycles in bike lanes/paths. Is that legal in China? Great video. Impressive system. But it looks like they have a lot of motorcycles in bike lanes/paths. Is that legal in China?

]]> By: Bicycle Defender http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-262960 Bicycle Defender Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:32:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-262960 I keep seeing bike parking on the streets of SF and am glad it is spreading. such a cool idea and it actually makes the space look more people friendly too. Next is parklett takeover! I keep seeing bike parking on the streets of SF and am glad it is spreading. such a cool idea and it actually makes the space look more people friendly too. Next is parklett takeover!

]]> By: Mary Eickhoff http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-262955 Mary Eickhoff Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:23:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-262955 The City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, is considering a bike share program. The great difference is that motor vehicle structure is so established that it's going to be very expensive to provide appropriate routes for bike share users.  We are taking mini-steps however, mostly linking the growing network of greenways, so sharing information about success stories such as yours can be positive and beneficial to those of us hoping to bring positive motivation to the table. The City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, is considering a bike share program. The great difference is that motor vehicle structure is so established that it's going to be very expensive to provide appropriate routes for bike share users.  We are taking mini-steps however, mostly linking the growing network of greenways, so sharing information about success stories such as yours can be positive and beneficial to those of us hoping to bring positive motivation to the table.

]]> By: Jduman http://www.streetfilms.org/the-biggest-baddest-bike-share-in-the-world-hangzhou-china/comment-page-1/#comment-262952 Jduman Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=50505#comment-262952 Thanks for the tip. Those of us trying to support bike-friendly changes in US need to know things like you told us. Thanks for the tip. Those of us trying to support bike-friendly changes in US need to know things like you told us.

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