While the event put a shine on bike share in hopes to woo sponsors, it underscored an urgent need to raise money. So far the system only has $1.8 million in the bank thanks to a federal grant. However, the estimate to fully launch (750 bikes) and operate the system in the first year is $6.6 million ($4.7 million to get the system on the street and $1.9 million in operating costs). That leaves a significant funding gap that PBOT and Alta need to close.
A reader writes: "Let's do the math: $4.7 million divided by 750 bikes = $6,267 per bike."
And that doesn't count what it will cost to fish them out of the Willamette. Why the City of Portland is throwing money after this while it ditches core services is beyond comprehension. Except that we had the Sam Rand Twins running the place for years, of course.
Comments (13)
While it has a few more bike paths, overall I consider Portland a more dangerous place to cycle than it was 20 years ago. Between the congestion, narrower streets, speed humps, streetcar rails, and angry bus drivers, I avoid it as much as I can. But I'd be happy to cycle in the city if they gave me a $6,267 bicycle.
Why does Portland subsidize Avis Rental Cars (by granting them exclusive use of parking spaces) and then enter the bike rental business?
I am so tired of bike advocates. I take side streets on my bike. Stop whining about bike lanes. What a sense of entitlement from a group that I suspect pays very little in taxes due to deliberate underemployment.
Cost never matters to politicians whose only concern is how they are perceived by a target electorate.
Yes, career politicians, overly concerned about their career and staying in their career. They may be good at campaigning, having themselves marketed and working for vested interests, but in my opinion disastrous in decision making capabilities. We need to stop voting for familiar names unless we have thoroughly vetted them to know they are on the side of critical issues important to us.
This is yet another demonstration of Sammyboy’s fiscal incompetence. When the City Council approved City’s share of the start up funds, Saltzman stated he was voting yes on the condition no more City money would be spent on the bike share program, Given the apparent shortage of funds, will Salzman stand by his statement and demand fiscal self-sustainability of the program, or become a jellyfish?
A reader writes: "Let's do the math: $4.7 million divided by 750 bikes = $6,267 per bike."
I know you can walk into many department stores and ride out with a very suitable, decent bike for less than $400.
That would buy 11,750 bikes. With zero operating expense, because whoever was the recipient of the bike would be responsible for that.
Granted that's something around one bike for every 50 Portland residents, enough to increase Portland's bike trip share from 6% to 7%...and reduce TriMet's share by another percentage. Meanwhile, trips taken by automobiles will continue to stay unchanged...
It's not just the initial purchase price of the bikes. I'm sure there will be some kind of office or group of City employees paid to administer, publicize, tweet and repair the fleet. Remember that the last time a similar program was operating in Portland it failed miserably. I really don't think this is the City's responsibility or a good use of our money. They could just as easily have offered incentives to local bike shops or entrepreneurs and shifted the burden (and any financial benefits, which I can't even envision) to the private sector.
Now if they had a rent-a-pony program I have a niece who'd be all over that one.
Re-reading this, I don't see where they anticipate any income from this venture. Shouldn't an attempt be made to at least break even? Aren't there going to be any charges that will eventually help recoup the original investment? And "only 1.8 million"? Cry me a river . . .
We also read that the program is awaiting mega-donations because the planners want to put a "complete system" into place all at once, not station by station. That almost sounded like it might be city-wide; maybe even extending into the hinterlands of east county. But wait . . . Blumenauer is quoted as saying that the project will be, "an important addition to the liveability of downtown." So, once again, it's all about the downtown core area?
I got hives reading about the promised, "2.9 million annual media value" for sponsors, including print and social media. That explains a hefty part of the budget, a portion designed to gladden the hearts of some advertising or public relations firm and young Twitterers looking for a cushy government position.
The patronage jobs would make modern Chicago blush. Alta is the subject of critical reporting in NYC for long delays and a questionable bidding process.
Question: if this was viable why didn't a private company go for it?
Jack, any chance you could summarize the Alta scandals in Chicago & NYC, and then
note that Alta's leadership has strong ties to City government and may have been awarded the bid improperly?
Corruption in PDX wears birkenstocks while corruption in Chicago wears expensive Italian loafers .. .
Lange, Pinot Gris 2015
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Marchigüe, Cabernet 2013
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Campo Viejo, Rioja Reserva 2011
Kirkland, Côtes de Provence Rosé 2016
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Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly Rosé 2016
Stoller, Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
Chehalem, Inox Chardonnay 2015
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L'Ecole No. 41, Merlot 2013
Della Terra, Anonymus
Willamette Valley, Dijon Clone Chardonnay 2013
Wraith, Cabernet, Eidolon Estate 2012
Januik, Red 2015
Tomassi, Valpolicella, Rafaél, 2014
Sharecropper's Pinot Noir 2013
Helix, Pomatia Red Blend 2013
La Espera, Cabernet 2011
Campo Viejo, Rioja Reserva 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2013
Locations, Spanish Red Wine
Locations, Argentinian Red Wine
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Argyle, Vintage Brut 2011
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Primarius, Pinot Gris 2015
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Napa Cellars, Cabernet 2013
J. Bookwalter, Protagonist 2012
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Balboa, Rose of Grenache 2015
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Conn Creek, Cabernet, Napa 2012
Conn Creek, Cabernet, Napa 2013
Villa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc 2015
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Chateau Smith, Cabernet, Washington State 2014
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Willamette Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir, Whole Clusters 2015
Albero, Bobal Rose 2015
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La Vite Lucente, Toscana Red 2013
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Intrinsic, Cabernet 2014
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Layer Cake, Shiraz 2013
Desert Wind, Ruah 2011
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RoxyAnn, Claret 2012
Del Ri, Claret 2012
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Roxy Ann, Claret 2012
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Phil Stanford - Rose City Vice
Kenneth R. Feinberg - What is Life Worth?
Kent Haruf - Our Souls at Night
Peter Carey - True History of the Kelly Gang
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Philip Roth - The Plot Against America
Norm Macdonald - Based on a True Story
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James Joyce - Dubliners
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Stephen King - 11/22/63
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Rudyard Kipling - Kim
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Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
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Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
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Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
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Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
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Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
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Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
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David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
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Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 113
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In 2013: 257
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In 2009: 67
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Comments (13)
While it has a few more bike paths, overall I consider Portland a more dangerous place to cycle than it was 20 years ago. Between the congestion, narrower streets, speed humps, streetcar rails, and angry bus drivers, I avoid it as much as I can. But I'd be happy to cycle in the city if they gave me a $6,267 bicycle.
Posted by antiplanner | February 23, 2013 11:02 AM
Why does Portland subsidize Avis Rental Cars (by granting them exclusive use of parking spaces) and then enter the bike rental business?
I am so tired of bike advocates. I take side streets on my bike. Stop whining about bike lanes. What a sense of entitlement from a group that I suspect pays very little in taxes due to deliberate underemployment.
Posted by Mamacita | February 23, 2013 11:19 AM
Cost never matters to politicians whose only concern is how they are perceived by a target electorate. Everyone and everything else is expendable.
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | February 23, 2013 11:54 AM
How much can you get for those bikes on Craigslist? Or for scrap metal?
Posted by Michelle | February 23, 2013 1:58 PM
Cost never matters to politicians whose only concern is how they are perceived by a target electorate.
Yes, career politicians, overly concerned about their career and staying in their career. They may be good at campaigning, having themselves marketed and working for vested interests, but in my opinion disastrous in decision making capabilities. We need to stop voting for familiar names unless we have thoroughly vetted them to know they are on the side of critical issues important to us.
Posted by clinamen | February 23, 2013 2:36 PM
This is yet another demonstration of Sammyboy’s fiscal incompetence. When the City Council approved City’s share of the start up funds, Saltzman stated he was voting yes on the condition no more City money would be spent on the bike share program, Given the apparent shortage of funds, will Salzman stand by his statement and demand fiscal self-sustainability of the program, or become a jellyfish?
Posted by TR | February 23, 2013 3:13 PM
A reader writes: "Let's do the math: $4.7 million divided by 750 bikes = $6,267 per bike."
I know you can walk into many department stores and ride out with a very suitable, decent bike for less than $400.
That would buy 11,750 bikes. With zero operating expense, because whoever was the recipient of the bike would be responsible for that.
Granted that's something around one bike for every 50 Portland residents, enough to increase Portland's bike trip share from 6% to 7%...and reduce TriMet's share by another percentage. Meanwhile, trips taken by automobiles will continue to stay unchanged...
Posted by Erik H. | February 23, 2013 6:07 PM
It's not just the initial purchase price of the bikes. I'm sure there will be some kind of office or group of City employees paid to administer, publicize, tweet and repair the fleet. Remember that the last time a similar program was operating in Portland it failed miserably. I really don't think this is the City's responsibility or a good use of our money. They could just as easily have offered incentives to local bike shops or entrepreneurs and shifted the burden (and any financial benefits, which I can't even envision) to the private sector.
Now if they had a rent-a-pony program I have a niece who'd be all over that one.
Posted by NW Portlander | February 23, 2013 7:42 PM
Why is the city of Portland in the bike business? What an ADHD city council. What
a gross misunderstanding of what a municipal
government does.
What a random choice of a city project. "Hey guys, let's start a bike rental program and tweet about it."
Pave the dang streets, PBOT.
Bike rental is obviously a loser idea because bike shop after bike shop declines to rent bikes.
Posted by Mamacita | February 23, 2013 11:19 PM
Given the state of city streets I at least hope they bought mountain bikes...
Posted by tankfixer | February 24, 2013 9:40 AM
This proves that there really is no idea too stupid for Portland.
Posted by Tom | February 24, 2013 3:15 PM
Re-reading this, I don't see where they anticipate any income from this venture. Shouldn't an attempt be made to at least break even? Aren't there going to be any charges that will eventually help recoup the original investment? And "only 1.8 million"? Cry me a river . . .
We also read that the program is awaiting mega-donations because the planners want to put a "complete system" into place all at once, not station by station. That almost sounded like it might be city-wide; maybe even extending into the hinterlands of east county. But wait . . . Blumenauer is quoted as saying that the project will be, "an important addition to the liveability of downtown." So, once again, it's all about the downtown core area?
I got hives reading about the promised, "2.9 million annual media value" for sponsors, including print and social media. That explains a hefty part of the budget, a portion designed to gladden the hearts of some advertising or public relations firm and young Twitterers looking for a cushy government position.
Posted by NW Portlander | February 24, 2013 6:41 PM
The patronage jobs would make modern Chicago blush. Alta is the subject of critical reporting in NYC for long delays and a questionable bidding process.
Question: if this was viable why didn't a private company go for it?
Jack, any chance you could summarize the Alta scandals in Chicago & NYC, and then
note that Alta's leadership has strong ties to City government and may have been awarded the bid improperly?
Corruption in PDX wears birkenstocks while corruption in Chicago wears expensive Italian loafers .. .
Posted by Mamacita | February 25, 2013 8:27 AM