Is something wrong here?

I'm getting ready to participate in Bike to Work Day, as I've done every year for the last decade or so, if I haven't been traveling out of town.  I came across this nice idea on the BikeArlington site: you can borrow a bike for free to use for Bike to Work Day. Bike the Sites is making them available at the Bike Oasis.  Unfortunately, neither of their web sites, nor the WABA web site mentions this great opportunity, so I'm not sure how people will find out about it.

So I'm looking at the Bike Oasis web site and I noticed their pricing:  $7/hr & $35/day for a comfort bike; $10/hr & $50/day for other bikes. 

Something seems wrong to me here.  About 6-8 times a year I go to Enterprise and rent a car for $17/day over the weekend.  I can rent it all weekend and pay for gas for under $50.  Even on a weekday I can usually get a $35/day rate.  That's to rent a $17,000 car.  How can it cost just as much to rent a $650 bicycle?  If I have a family of 3, am I going to spend $150 to rent 3 hybrids for a day?  Even just 3 hours on the comfort bikes would set me back $63. . .and I'd be checking my watch to make sure I get back before the 3 hours are up so it doesn't cost me another $21.

I understand that Bike the Sites is a business, and they have to make money, but something still seems out of whack when I can rent a car for less than I can rent a bike.

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Steve Offutt, Arlington resident and Director - Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE), Transportation Projects

Comments

[steve]

Hello Kelly,

Absolutely true that your prices are in line with others. I was not actually criticizing Bike the Sites in particular, but just chewing on what appears to be a weird anomaly in our economy. I just went to Enterprise right now. I can get a car tomorrow for $34.19. That’s pretty much the price most of the time. In addition to a quality, well maintained car, I get a spare tire, CD player (or at least a radio), cup holder, room for additional passengers, roadside assistance, seat belts for safety, room in the trunk, a crummy map, and I’m sure they would be happy to give me instructions on how to use it if I asked.

I won't quibble with "fun," but I might quibble with "cost-effective." $140 a day for a family of 4 sounds awfully expensive. ($200 if we want the nicer bikes)

Is your price wrong? That’s the wrong question. If people are willing to pay it, then—hey—get what you can. It still seems odd that I can rent a $17,000 car for less than I can rent a $500 bike.

[Kelly Diamond]

Dear Steve,

Information about free bike rentals for Bike to Work day is now available on WABA’s web site as well as the Bike the Sites and Bike Oasis sites; apparently you checked before those were updated. We’re hopeful this new program will be successful and are excited to do our part to encourage bike commuting and support WABA and Commuter Connections.

As for our pricing, you’ll find that our prices are comparable to other urban rental shops. Most of our customers are out-of-town visitors, and renting bikes is a fun and cost-effective way to tour the Washington, DC area. In addition to the use of a quality, well maintained bike, each rental includes a helmet, lock, pump, bike tube, city map and handlebar bag. Our staff provides practical information about how to navigate city streets, properly lock the bike, and helpful suggestions for specific routes and ways to best reach desired destinations.

While I can’t speak for Enterprise, I am guessing that the $17/day rate is a promotional one which doesn’t truly reflect the actual costs but is subsidized by other business. The bike rental rates you were comparing it with are the base (highest) rates, so it’s not really a fair comparison.

We do offer discounts and coupon through area hotels, the Entertainment Book, and to students, AAA members, to those renting for multiple weekdays, and return customers. In addition, we provide an incentive for locals to cycle with their out-of-town guests with a locals ride free offer on our guided tours and regularly support local schools and charities with donations.

Kelly Diamond
Marketing Director
Bike the Sites

[Sean]

I agree, thats ridiculous...

Fortunately in my little town we have a bike library. You can "check out" a bike for 6 mos.... all you put down is a $20 deposit.

http://www.arcata.com/greenbikes/

[Steve]

Hi Meghan,
Two things wrong with that:
1) Way, way out of line with their price
2) Worse--you are their customer! You are spending 150 bucks on repairs. Any smart businessperson loans you a bike for FREE!

Let's compare outcomes:
- Bike shop tells you they'll rent you a bike for $150. You are understandably aghast. You tell your story on blogs like this and to your friends and maybe take your business elsewhere in the future. (Feel free to name the shop if you like - or better, post it on WashCycle)
- Bike shop loans you a bike for free. You are one happy camper. You tell everyone how you were treated special and this is the shop that goes above and beyond for its customers. You become a loyal customer and steer all your friends their way.

Makes you wonder how companies stay in business, doesn't it?

[meghan]

AMEN!!!! after i was doored (and with my bike as my main form of transport), i dropped my bike off at the shop for the necessary repairs. when they told me it'd take a few days to fix up again, i asked about renting one of their bikes to keep me mobile til mine was patched up. you could've knocked me over with a feather when they told me i'd end up spending another $150 just to have one of their bikes for a few days.

so the problem, it seems, seeps through all of the shops. let's get reasonable, folks!