How bikeshares could ultimately affect Seattle transportation
Nov 26, 2018, 5:54 AM | Updated: 6:08 am
A JUMP bike at Seattle's Magnuson Park. (Dyer Oxley, MyNorthwest)
(Dyer Oxley, MyNorthwest)
Bikeshares have had a rocky relationship with Seattle. Some have kicked into high gear, while others have hit the brakes. But the entrance of Uber and Lyft into the Seattle market could indicate a new era of bikesharing in town — an era backed by big money.
It perhaps marks one of the largest blows to car habits in Seattle. Only time will tell.
鈥淯ber got into this, now Lyft is into this — they know something,鈥� said 成人X站 Nights host Gee Scott. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e done some studies. The good news is that, whatever you decide to ride, I do think at some point this is going to start pulling people out of cars 鈥� especially in the Seattle area.鈥�
Another perspective is that Seattle is the latest battleground between Uber and Lyft. Producer Drew Barth notes that whenever Uber does something, Lyft tries to beat them. That competition could indicate a big push for Seattle customers.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 certainly going to get to the idea that you no longer need to own a form of transportation,鈥� Drew said. 鈥淚f there is some form of transportation you want to utilize, you will be able to pay for it as a service.鈥�
Bikeshares in competition
Lime has been operating in Seattle since July 2017, as part of the city’s pilot program. Three companies took part in the pilot — only Lime stuck around.
鈥淟ime is the OG in town, they鈥檝e been here a long time,鈥� Gee said, noting that Lyft and Uber bring the bikeshare total back up to three in Seattle. 鈥淲hich of the three in 2-3 years is going to be leading the charge here in Seattle?鈥�
Lime’s early advantage may have them lasting, according to Drew. They may have customers already in the habit of using their app, and don’t want to change.
鈥淯ber, though, has so much money and such a good infrastructure, it鈥檚 going to be tough to beat,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 care about which one is the most expensive, I care about which one is the most convenient and the easiest,鈥� Gee added. 鈥淚f something has the best customer service, I鈥檓 on it. That鈥檚 the reason why I was so hooked on Uber in the very beginning — because things are so easy. Even though I do feel like I pay a little bit more with Uber, I鈥檓 still hooked. I鈥檓 still there.”
RELATED: Lyft is launching a bikeshare in Seattle
RELATED: JUMP bikeshare comes to Seattle
Unpopular opinion: You can live in Seattle without a car, you just don’t want to
