Vancouver City taxpayers got a brief respite today with news that their sure-money-loser bike share program will be delayed another year.
The bike share, which Vancouver taxpayers will subsidize by at least $1.9 million a year for 10 years, has been dogged by problems both in Vancouver and elsewhere. Montreal taxpayers have pumped $108 million into their program. Software glitches delayed Chicago, New York City and Chattanooga.
Meanwhile, B.C.’s helmet law will put Vancouver’s bike share on to the same legal ground as Australian programs in Melbourne and Brisbane, which have been financial disasters. Despite the sunnier climates, helmet laws have led to an average bike being used once every three or four days.
Vancouver has so many other pressing needs – why waste $20 million over the next decade on this money pit?
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