SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – The city of Syracuse launched its “Bike Share” program last week. One would think that local bike shops would oppose this program due to customer competition, but one local shop says, it’s quite the opposite.
Syracuse Bicycle, a local bike shop here in the city, says it’s in favor of the new program and that they can see possible benefits from it.
Zak Field, a sales representative at the shop, added more.
“It gets people into the sport, and curious about maybe purchasing a bike on their own,” Field said. “We could be a place to help answer any questions they may have about owning a bicycle instead of renting one.”
Field also added his own personal opinion on the new program.
“I think only good can come from it,” Field stated. “It’s just going to take a little bit of time for Syracuse to warm up to the idea because it’s such a new wave that kind of hit us fairly recently.”
Both Field and the shop would instead, like to focus on the issue of safety for cyclists.
“I know it’s not an overnight process but I think cycling in Syracuse is a little tricky,” Field proclaimed. “Right now, it is borderline unsafe even though both people, cars and cyclists have a responsibility to each other, and I hope that we can just create a safer cycling culture soon.”
Field stated what he thinks the city could do to help improve those measures.
“I think we are going to have to build better infrastructure for bikes,” Field said.
The main issue cyclists have with the city is that the bike lanes are not big enough, and that they are way too close to bordering oncoming traffic. With the launch of this new program, they hope to see safety measures improved.
