Philly Bikeshare Won’t Be Docked on Sidewalks OR Streets

At a forum in Philly last week, a representative from D.C’s Capital Bikeshare described the phenomenon of being “dockblocked,” in which one shows up to park a bike and all the dock spaces have been filled. Especially at night, in high-traffic areas like Dupont Circle, any Washingtonian can attest that this is a common phenomenon. Well in Philly, the docks themselves are getting dockblocked.

Today, Inga Saffron reports that Philly’s forthcoming bikeshare program will include docking stations neither on sidewalks nor on streets themselves. Verdant parks like Rittenhouse Square will probably be off-limits too. All of which raises the question: Where else can they go? Here’s the city’s answer:

[The city has] identified 130 locations that fit the city’s strict siting criteria. Many proposed docking stations could be installed on private property, such as the Comcast tower plaza, when the owner agrees, or on the aprons fronting city museums.

Well, wherever you put them, maybe don’t get them from the firm that makes equipment for Capitol Bikeshare, which is being investigated by the Department of Labor for not paying adequate wages. [Inquirer]