We’ve got some momentum on this: improving last-mile and recreational transit by installing bike share hubs throughout Austin’s urban core. DAB readers know this is something I’ve been passionate about for years. The idea has the attention of multiple Austin City Council members. Take five seconds and **VOTE NOW**!
Search Results for: austin bike share
Austin Bike Share Doesn’t Exist. It Should!
[Thanks to Charley Ayres with the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce for the above pic!]
Just got back from Minneapolis as part of a delegation from the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s annual InterCity visit. One of the most impressive city amenities in Minneapolis is a robust and professionally operated bike share system. The system is called Nice Bike and you’ll find stations scattered throughout the urban core, located around destinations people need/want to get to.
It was around this time last year, when traveling in Montreal, that I was first introduced to a fully functional bike share system. That system was called BIXI, but it was the same bike design used in Minneapolis. The system works insanely well. You can become a member, or pay-as-you-go. The three-geared bikes are comfortable and well maintained.
The most important element of these systems a critical mass of stations. A successful shared bike system is analogous to a network that increases its utility as more nodes are added. Place the stations in places where people need them. The more stations the better.
A shared bike system could help solve some “last mile” challenges facing mass-transit. The productivity of a shared bike system for residents, workers, visitors is potentially leaps and bounds more cost effective than buses for last mile transit. As such, I believe a shared bike system should be injected into Austin’s mobility planning.
Just as importantly, a shared bike system is a superb recreational amenity for the city. Imagine how useful this could be for visitors to Austin! Don’t rent a car. Rent a bike! Make it leisurely.
It was fortunate for supporters of this system that so many decision makers were on this trip. CM Riley, CM Cole, CM Morrison, and Mayor Leffingwell were all in attendance in Minneapolis, and hopefully returned more informed about the potential of a bike share system in Austin. Below is a map I quickly created that shows general destinations where anyone could pickup or drop off their shared bike.
Rainey Street Gets Bike Share
The latest bike share hub being installed this morning at Davis & Rainey Street. Just in time for SXSW, this is a good choice of location in the neighborhood. Across the street Hotel Van Zandt is under construction.
Families in Downtown Austin Condos
Sometimes when I’m chatting with a peer of mine about where they’d like to live, I ask them if they would consider downtown. A common response to that question is “Well, I have (or want to have) kids….so….” as though that’s the consideration keeping them from a condo. I guess when people think of the demographic of downtown Austin (and, I guess, downtowns in general), they think that high-rises are for singles, young couples, or empty nesters – most folks don’t feel like condo buildings are places where families do or should dwell.
Well, believe it or not, there are lots of families living in downtown Austin that are bucking the stereotype. I’ve had the chance of over the last several months to interview a few families living in downtown Austin [Read more…] about Families in Downtown Austin Condos
Downtown News & Rumor Roundup: Central Library, Bike Share, Fairmont Updates
Bike Share: Not Until End Of Year
Bike share is late, but better late than never. After KUT News and the Statesman both did spotlights on the fact that Bike Share had all but dropped off the map in Austin, City Council approved approved a contract last week with B-Cycle to purchase the equipment needed to operate the Austin bike share system.
Included in this purchase will be approximately 400 bicycles, 600 docks, 40 kiosks, and other miscellaneous accessories including the hardware and software to operate the system.
The Public Works Department promises that next month it will release an online location-suggesting tool that will enable citizens to choose where they would like a kiosk to be located, and vote for already chosen locations. Stations will be on average two or three blocks apart. The stations will be located in close proximity to local attractions, transit stations and other popular destinations.
The City aims to have the bike share program operable by late 2013.
Fairmont ground breaking imminent?
The 10,000 square foot surface level parking lot across from the convention center will soon be gone. Though not an official “groundbreaking,” crews will never the less break ground soon at 101 Red River St, the site of the planned Fairmont Hotel, which will anchor the lower Waller Creek District (btw, the design plan was approved by council).
Permits were just granted for the crews to begin to tear up the concrete there, so don’t be surprised if you see activity out there. (But also don’t confuse it with general construction, which is slated for October)
Seaholm Central Library Construction Started
This was covered to death around town, thanks to a pretty aggressive PR push from city hall. Construction has started, and will go through Fall 2015. I’m not going to belabor you with the details. They are all in this PDF presentation.
Instead, I’m just going to show you this little comparison photo of development along the north shore, west of City Hall…
