Fort Worth's new bicycle rental program ranks right at the top of my list of really stupid ideas. The bicycles cost over $1,100 each, which does not include the costs of the rental/return stations, transporting damaged bikes for repairs, actual repairs and the costs of administration, operations and repair personnel.
In addition, the city will probably need to set up an arbitration board to handle rental refund claims for those riders whose bikes break between rental stations, forcing them to exceed the 30-minute limit.These are only a very few of myriad problems this program will encounter. Make your own list of all the other reasons why it won't work and then make a list of why it will. Which list is longer?But, wow! The program is financed by grant money from the government. Just remember, grant money is your tax dollars in action. It isn't free.-- Larry McGuire, CrowleyHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
