NYC Bike Share Rolls Out, Jon Stewart Responds

While most here are for obvious reasons, advocates of these programs; let us not forget that the PUBLIC is paying for this program.

We of Libertarian leaning ask..Oh great paternal overlord Bloomberg, if this program is so wonderful, why can’t it stand on it’s own merits? Why should the non-riding public be forced to subsidize it?

I assume most are aware of MB’s heavy-handed governance of how the “little people” need to told what to do. So it is not surprising that ANYTHING he impliments his motives are subjected to scrutiny.

@Mindfull – I’m sorry sir, but considering the massive investment in road infrastructure that the federal government (ie you) pay for, and the pittance that goes to bike infrastructure, I have a great deal of difficulty considering your viewpoint as anything but silly. I seriously doubt that you complain about new roads or highways, but a bike program you DO bitch about.

However, as the entire system is run without government subsidies or any tax dollars of ANY kind, your viewpoint is especially silly. Thats why its called Citi Bike, because they put a bunch of money towards the infrasture and system.

Please do a bit of research before you complain. Thanks

Mindfull-

You are completely incorrect. There is no public funding in the CitiBike program (unless you split hairs and count the DOT time/effort.) The program was completely capitalized buy the contract holder and underwriting sponsors.

In fact, the city has the chance of earning money on the project, per a revenue sharing agreement with Alta.

Oh, the injustice. The public being inflicted with a program that can’t stand on its own merits…oh, what? Oh it does stand on its own merits and doesn’t cost non-users of the system a dime. Still, why should the non-riding public be forced to subse……..uhm…..er……..be forced to look at blue bikes instead of a 2 or 3 more parked cars at a given location? Oh, that heavy handed government accepting a program that others have invested in so that it costs nothing to the non-riding public…….dang that for being something that libertarians normally go along with.

I think this CitiBike deal is what is normally known as a “win-win” scenario.

Not subsidized..really?

How much are they paying for the parking spaces they are using? How much is real-estate in NYC per square foot again?

When revenue is not collected for use of space it is a subsidy. NYC collects $millions in meter revenue, fines, towing, storage, forfeitures etc from parking. What contribution is this program making to infrastructure costs?