Respect the Ride – #WATWB

Recently, there has been a couple recent announcements regarding Lime Bikes in the city of Hartford. Yes, I’ve written about Lime Bikes before for this blogfest, but these announcements have caused me to want to return. You see, not all the news about Lime Bikes has been good news.

The bikes proved to be more popular than Lime, Inc. or the City of Hartford anticipated. Lime responded by adding another hundred or so bikes to our streets. Recently, they’ve entered an exclusive provider agreement with the city to put electric scooters on the streets for two years. The city has the option to extend the agreement for an additional two years.

For me, Lime Bikes are a fun way to ride around Great River Park early in the morning. I also like the fact that I can take the train into Hartford and ride a bike to my friend’s condo. For many people in Hartford, Lime Bikes are a way to get to the store, or to work, or to a better school. There are many people in Hartford who simply can’t afford to own, maintain, insure and park a car. Lime Bikes add inexpensive and flexible choices to Hartford’s meager public transportation options and that’s a good thing.

The downside of Lime Bikes, and all other brands of rack-less bikes, is that they can be a hazard to pedestrians. People sometimes ride on sidewalks, or they leave the bike in inappropriate locations. Lime has heard the complaints, and they have taken a positive step in response.

As a registered Lime rider, I received an email asking me to commit to:

Respect The Ride Lime’s safety and education campaign is focused on promoting responsible riding habits at every step, from putting on a helmet to parking properly.

I signed up. Fortunately, I wasn’t among the first 25,000people to agree (they received free helmets). I say fortunately, because I have my own helmet, and more importantly, I was happy to see that over 75,000 people made the following commitment:

I hereby pledge to Respect The Ride in support of safe streets, sidewalks and communities.

As part of this pledge, I agree to:

● Ride responsibly at all times
● Wear a helmet while riding
● Abide by all traffic laws and speed limits
● Ride only within designated areas such as streets and bike lanes
● Park properly out of the way of pedestrian walkways, service ramps and metro stops
● Be aware of automobiles, pedestrians and fellow riders

I make this commitment willingly in an effort to help promote smart, sustainable mobility and to ensure a safe environment for all riders and modes of transportation.

The “We are the World” Blogfest has extended its year-long journey and is in its 19^th month. This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts: Eric Lahti ,Inderpreet Uppal, Shilpa Garg, Peter Nena, Damyanti Biswas,welcome participants and encourage all to join in during future months.#WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign upat any time between now and February of 2019.

This was my ride. Perhaps the last Lime Bike I’ll see until spring.

I can cover over a mile on the Lime Bike in the time I have to visit the park.

No better use for a Lime Bike that to go fishing

I took the Lime Bike to the south end of Great River Park.

I think I see my ride. Not the car, the Lime Bike.

There you go, Lime Bike. All better.

Lime Bike Down !!!

Returning to Union Station on the second Lime Bike I rented that day.

After the ballgame, I spied a gaggle of Lime Bikes. I had time for another ride through the park, before my train. Why not?

Lime Bikes!

The Lime Bikes are showing up in the park on a regular basis.