[Yule]

@scoot 198956 wrote:

I have executed this same exact maneuver on multiple occasions and have never had a problem. After you have moved a few bikes to partially rebalance the system, the angel points do get reduced for subsequent laps, but this has never resulted in a service denial.

However, I have experienced temporary service denials with CaBi that are unrelated to Bike Angels. Occasionally a station goes offline and fails to report a docked bike to the system while incommunicado. If so, you will get blocked from taking another bike. When this has occurred, I have always been able to call CaBi customer service, explain the situation, and they immediately unfreeze my account to allow another bike checkout on the spot. Perhaps this situation is what happened to you?

I would echo your experience there, scoot. Same experience. I have done a lot of Bike Angeling and I don’t think the problem Relwal Noj reports was related to Bike Angels, not in my experience.

There was a time last year or so when the system was plagued, for a couple weeks, by some kind of software glitch that took entire stations down for period of minutes to hour. I haven’t seen that in a long time.

(On the app map, the one recently replaced by a new app, you’d get a good feel for where these glitches were likely — when a station was reporting weird things like being full or empty when you know it shouldn’t be, that meant there was likely a glitch and the station was down, so trying to get or dock a bike there would cause you a problem you’d need to get on the phone to sort out. Sadly, the new app makes this considerably harder to see at a glance.)

@scoot 198956 wrote:

Rebalancing laps can be a fun way to earn a few angel points when you happen to have some extra time and want to get some multimodal exercise. I’ve found Courthouse to be a great spot for it because bikes will often accumulate at some stations just a few blocks from other empty stations. Unsurprisingly, the full stations are always at lower elevations than the empty ones, so you will be jogging downhill and riding uphill. Typical example: empty docks at the county courthouse building, with full docks at 15th and Scott.

Absolutely right. Perhaps it’s no surprise, with Bike Angels now suspended (indefinitely?) that all these stations were empty earlier than I might have expected them yesterday when I passed by.

The heavily-used Courthouse stations are a good example of the need for having stations to anchor the system. There are dozens of people who use those stations to commute (demand always outstripping supply; increasing dock capacity here is an obvious choice to help the system IMO; they always go to zero at commute time). Imagine though if there were no stations, just bikes tossed anywhere and hoping for the best. Would these people ever have gotten in the bikeshare commuting habit?

[Yule]

@cabicomm 198934 wrote:

If you rotate the bell to sit above the handlebars

How do bells end up getting knocked off so often?

[Yule]

Okay, here are some further thoughts on what I see as the negatives to CaBi potentially moving to a partly-dockless-oriented model. Even if it is definitely wrong that they are moving this way for now, the docked-vs.-dockless discussion will always be with us, so I want to record some thoughts here. Sorry for the length.

I am a bikeshare user for years with thousands of trips. Everything I say is because I like bikeshare and want to see it succeed.

___________________

On the Downsides of Dockless

Surerly people remember the big “washout” of all the dockless bikes in 2017 and 2018. Despite all the predictions of the End of Docks at the time, someone on this forum posted a thread called “The Dockpockalypse Nears” in Sept. 2017 (a timestamped example of what I mean), it turned out that docks really were needed, to provide some predictability to the system. It turned out what actually disappeared was every single dockless-bike player in the market.

It turned out that people didn’t understand the novel concept of Bikesharing, at least as we have it in the Washington/Arlington area. Understandable. They didn’t understand that docks were the infrastructure needed to keep a system like this thriving. (It’s different in Beijing.)

Even today’s dockless scooters and the handful of surviving dockless bikes out there (of which all are eBikes) end up often getting/using/having a form of station infrastructure anyway, just not one they pay for or maintain, but one they sponge entirely off the the CaBi infrastructure. The biggest single place that dockless scooters accumulate is next to CaBi stations, presumably because many scooter people feel guilty about just tossing them anywhere and impeding sidewalk movement, potentially hurting people who bump into them or etc., or just looking like jerks (and the worst are the people who leave scooters in the middle of Key Bridge). Besides end-user scooter people who are looking for a least-intrusive place to park, the people running the scooter systems also usually line up freshly recharged ones right next to CaBi stations, something I always shake my head at when I see, as it is a form of blatant economic free-riding. The scooters are just airdropped-in and did not pay for the stations whose ‘anchoring’ presence they are taking advantage of. Another form of evidence on the need for bikeshare station-anchors is the conversions of parking places to scooter/dockless-bike parking zones that began as early as the end of 2018. The lived-experience evidence of this is everywhere, if you have engaged at all with bikeshare or even walked the streets in bikeshare areas, you’ll have noticed it.

So we have several years of experience, now, suggesting that stations provide predictable anchors, system stability, and comfort that encourages people to use the system, a positive feedback-loop.

Dock/station infrastructure is what has allowed CaBi to grow in the way it has, and it is risky to go the route of dockless. This would immediately disrupt, and probbaly long-term discourage, “regulars,” the thousands who use CaBi to commute or for little daily trips who depend on the reliability of the system and are a lot less likely to do a “Pokemon-Go”-like chase for bikes every time.

If Capital Bikeshare wants to maintain its solid group of regular users, and expand it, system stability should be the top priority. CaBi has done a pretty good job at this,* but any move towards Dockless is seriously risky for system stability and overall system health.

(The opinion of a bikeshare fan and bikeshare evangelist who means well.)

_____________

* – The main problems limiting growth in ridership IMO are (1) a lack of system expansion so that more individuals are covered in door-of-home-to-destination way by the bikeshare network (expansion has gotten sluggish); and (2) lack of capacity at peak times at peak places, notably places like Rosslyn and Georgetown. The latter’s stations generally get up around 100% capacity on most any fair weather afternoon, but definitely Fri./Sat./Holiday; on the old CaBi map app it was common to see the nearest eight or so stations all at 100%-full capacity at such times. It has often crossed my mind that there may be pen-pushers involved somewhere along the line who wouldn’t see this when glancing at aggregate numbers, say for a month-year period. “Oh, rides have only grown slightly; the system is not as successful as we thought it might be.” That’s because demand is significantly outstripping demand.

[Yule]

Thanks for the replies, though I am somewhat reminded why I don’t post here more often by the tone and the down-talk. It’s a discussion forum, right, and since about 2017 there have been people proposing Capital Bikeshare be (semi)-dockless. It’s worth talking about, even if my immediate ideas are wrong.

I agree with you, LhasaCM and Judd, that the QR code alone can be a good thing, and noted it with interest when it came in a few weeks ago. The change being now aligns with some of the other signs I’ve seen and talk I’ve heard.

This post is partly due to the fact that they are making big changes without (I feel) explaining what’s going on; many of us core users feel a little more than customers who have to be pitched to, if that makes sense.

They have totally changed the app, as well. Total change. It is unfortunate for those who were used to the old app; the new one is better in a few ways and worse in many ways, less user-friendly (are criticisms allowed, or should people only use twitter for that?), but in any case some of the changes I perceive in the new app do look like they are meant to facilitate semi-dockless.

LhasaCM wrote:

The Bike Angel program is not “cancelled”

Notice I wrote that the dock-to-dock Bike Angel program has been cancelled. I have been in Bike Angels for a long time and was surprised by the email announcing the “Pause.” I wrote a long post here about Bike Angels but refrained from posting it. Maybe will later.

[Yule]

Definitely right.

I always make a point to straighten mine out, and sometimes others at the station when I dock.

Even worse is non-CaBi devices parked in front of docks. How many times have I seen scooters parked at CaBi stations? Many. Sometimes obstructing one of more docks, other times so bad as if the guy deliberately parked with anti-CaBispite in mind, as one scooter sideways properly positioned can block three docks. Sadly I see this with some regularity. And some of the scooters are heavy to move, enough to injure shoulders of the weaker among us. Not cool, scooter people.

(Scooter people parking at CaBi stations proves the point again that CaBi’s original model of stations was and is right; a system like this, as great as it is, needs predictability, meaning people want and feel the need to have designated ‘station’ areas; cannot just toss in a few thousand bikes to be parked anywhere and hope for the best).

I used to see other rideshare bikes doing this too, parking next to, or occasionally in front of, bikeshare stations. Most of these dockless guys are out of the market now, of course, but few are making a comeback, afaict all electrics.)

[Yule]

The announcement of the ‘Pause’ (end?) of Bike Angels contains in part a reference to eBikes, and has me worried about changes to the CaBi system which the eBike (re)introduction is being used to push through.

Here is the email sent off today, in part:

As you probably know, the Bike Angels program was created to give bike riders (like you!) an opportunity to earn rewards for improving the balance of bikes and docks in the Capital Bikeshare system. The changing nature of Capital Bikeshare with different types of bikes and parking methods, means changes to the operational challenges of “balancing” bikes and docks across the system. We know that riders will have an important role to play here, but the current Bike Angels system — with points tied to specific stations — won’t make the most sense.

The writer is Collin, the Bike Angels program manager for many cities but mainly focused on New York, where he works at Motivate HQ (I think). He doesn’t use the word eBikes there, but it’s clear that’s what he is talking about (“different types of bikes and parking methods”).

[Yule]

@secstate 198773 wrote:

The Bike Angel program is on pause.

If this is the end of Bike Angels entirely, which it seems it may be, I for one (as a Bike Angel) will be sad.

[Yule]

@Judd 183471 wrote:

CaBi is owned by multiple jurisdictions in the area and is operated as public transportation. The jurisdictions purchase the stations and pay into operating costs. […]

Under the current structure, Motivate/Lyft doesn’t have much incentive to outlay funds to expand CaBi.

I suppose there is good and bad to Capital Bikeshare being a government-subsidized public service.

Still, someone somewhere along the chain of command(s), government(s) in this case and not the private company Motivate, needs some vision to really commit to getting the system to be comprehensive, and usable beyond the two Metro corridors. A very large share of both the Arlington population and the land area are still unserved by Capital Bikeshare. Another big push is needed, like this NYC mayor announcement. But I am highly biased as a CaBi fan.

* * * * *

Note: Arlington has 6 stations to be (theoretically) installed soon (designated on the map with ’19,’ i.e., 2019), and almost twenty more designated (in green) as “potential future sites” in the Capital Bikeshare expansion Google Map layer. Even these new six incoming and the possible twenty would still be a bare-bones attempt at reasonably comprehensive county coverage.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18634[/ATTACH]

[Yule]

Would be curious to hear from someone with expertise on the matter re what the problem is (could be) that is regularly shutting down stations seemingly at random. This could really hurt Capital Bikeshare for long run viability if it continues.

[Yule]

Planned 16’ wide trail with 6-foot buffer (existing 10’ & 3’buffer)

Great news.

Looking good:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18629[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]18630[/ATTACH]

[Yule]

@chris_s 183160 wrote:

express an unpopular opinion on residential parking

“It is vital that they hear that private vehicle storage is not the highest and best use of our streets.”

Of course I agree; but I would be curious to hear specific cases in which the Arlington County residential permit parking plan impinges on actual or potential bicyclist usage. The streets I see designated as part of the residential permit parking program appear to be ‘backstreets,’ of single-family houses or the like. The critical areas for fighting parking are along the larger streets, thoroughfares. The Fairfax Dr issue is a good example: Street parking there is definitely a threat to bicycling (a thread not long ago on this very forum was titled “Got Doored at Virginia Sq. [i.e., along Fairfax Dr.]); parking along some low-traffic street lined with single family houses does not compare. As best I can tell (someone correct me if I am wrong), the meeting does not deal with parking along the likes of Fairfax Dr.?

[Yule]

@Dewey 183268 wrote:

Mayor de Blasio Announces Dramatic Expansion Of Citi Bike
November 29, 2018

[…] doubling Citi Bike’s service area and tripling the number of bikes in the next five years […]

Can we get a push for a doubling of service area and tripling of bikes in the system, too? CaBi coverage area is decent but IMO leaves much to be desired if the goal is to be a comprehensive regional system, which it should be (why not?).

New York City had reached an agreement

Nice to be able to do that. Meanwhile, there are seven or so different jurisdictions with a hand in Capital Bikeshare, four major ones: Arlington, Alexandria, District of Columbia, and the federal government (i.e., stations on public land like the Mall) (?).

[Yule]

@Judd 183405 wrote:

This is false and unfair to the staff involved in CaBi expansion all of whom are progressive transportation planners and dedicated public servants. Of the city folks that I’ve interacted with in three different jurisdictions, the staff in Alexandria is by far the best.

That is good to know. My comment could have been worded better, was not meant to accuse anyone of anything specific. The problem, as identified by the OP here, is sluggishness. What is the source of the sluggishness? If it is not a funding issue, what is it?

It is certainly not something unique to Alexandria, either. It took years to get the Gravelly Point station (up and running as of today) despite Gravelly Point being so obvious a first-rate desirable spot. Meanwhile, e-scooters dive in and are all over the place within a year (these being of questionable long-term value to me, but that’s another issue altogether).

[Yule]

Glancing at the current CaBi map, there are currently five stations in Prince George’s County, two down near National Harbor (really an extension of the DC tourist track, of course; not that there’s anything wrong with that), and now up to three in the Largo area.

– Fleet St and Waterfront St (in National Harbor), on a little hill behind a hotel. Because of the cut-off nature of the National Harbor development (no thoroughfares), it is bicycle friendly, but I am not sure how much use this solitary CaBi station is. It did get me out to visit National Harbor, at least. A note on this station: It is is likely to be the southernmost CaBi station in the system for a while, unless and until Fairfax County loosens up and invites CaBi in; personally, I think a few stations on the way from Old Town to Mount Vernon would be a natural extension. Culminating in a dock right at the Mount Vernon historical site entrance (discounted entry for those who arrive by CaBi, please).

– Oxon Hill Park and Ride (an enormous parking lot and bus origin point). This is a ways north of National Harbor and sort-of close to the new MGM casino. Not exactly easy walking distance to the casino but doable. Requires crossing some difficult terrain, including bicycle-unfriendly Oxon Hill Rd. Unlike the National Harbor station, Not a very useful station for tourists, or for anyone except those coming to/from Alexandria or National Harbor and specifically intending to ride a Prince George’s County bus, I think. The way to/from Wilson Bridge and National Harbor is nicely paved with off-street trail.

– Largo Town Center Metro. Cannot comment on this one as I have not been.

– Largo Rd & Campus Way / Prince George’s Community College. Good idea with this one; students being natural users / potential core users. Not sure how easy it is to between the Metro and the college. I doubt it is too easy.

– 1301 McCormick Dr / Wayne K. Curry Admin Building. Cannot comment on this one.

Prince George’s County is, if I am not wrong, the least bicycle friendly among all the jurisdictions touched or encircled by the Beltway. I don’t know if these few stations will be able to make a dent in that.

[Yule]

@dbehrend 183399 wrote:

I first started to notice stations out more frequently around September.

I heard a customer service rep say that they’d been experiencing station issues for “a few weeks;” I guess I had been lucky because despite averaging several trips a day this fall and now early winter, I don’t recall being on the wrong end of any offline stations until maybe the end of November at earliest. Now several in the past week. So, at least anecdotally, the issue has gotten a lot worse within the past week. (I also notice the customer service line now begins with a message like: “Welcome to Capital Bikeshare. We are experiencing some issues with stations. If you are an annual member press 1; If you are…”)

I recall a similar issue (a station being offline) exactly once. I tried to solve it by the Help button on the app, filling out their form, and then interacting by email (which was the wrong way to go; CaBi lesson No.1: Always Call). Looking back through my emails, that issue was on or about April 7, 2018. It localized at one station, at least that I saw. At the time, I thought the outage might be due to cloud cover not giving the solar panels on the station enough “juice” over several days. (Who knows; it was a cloudy few days, anyway.)

Whatever the problem was, the station docked/locked my bike. I don’t exactly recall now, but I don’t think it even displayed the green light. It just docked/locked and dead. I could not check it out again. My intention was to use that docking as a way-stop on a long trip home (dock and then immediately take out again, to split a trip that might exceed 30m in two parts and dodge the fees). I ended up walking quite a ways, and because the issue was not resolved in their Help Form pipeline yet, I was also not able to check out any bikes from nearby stations; my trip was still “open.” I may have finally called; I don’t remember now. I remember a lot of walking. Fortunately, I didn’t have anywhere to be. That was the only real negative CaBi experience I’d had in three years, until these issues this week… (which are really nuisances if you recognize the problem and know how to solve it through a phone call).

[Author]

Posts