Assignment 7

1) I would like to take advantage of the many citizens who do not have means of personal transportation and have to constantly rely on the bus. It would be ideal for a public bicycle rental system was implemented throughout the small city. This would be a more eco-friendly method as well as a relief from the worry of whether one has missed the bus or not.

2)
The who: All citizens of Gainesville.
The what: They are restricted to use the RTS to get to work, class, etc.
The why: There are buses that go off route and veer off from one's final destination.

3) Hypothesis:

I believe this service would be ideal for everyone living in Gainesville, not just students.
4)

Jose is a student in his second year at the University of Florida. He currently resides in at Cabana Beach. I have just explained the concept of my idea.

"Oh yes, I am actually familiar with this concept. Those public bikes are everywhere in New York City. For someone like me who doesn't have a car and need to get to places at a faster pace than the bus, this would be very cool to see implemented here in Gainesville.

Me: How often would you use it then?

Jose: "Literally all the time if there was a station nearby. There's a ballpark I always go to and I'd prefer to bike rather than to walk. Anywhere else would be groceries at the quick shop for a light load I could carry in a basket the bike hopefully provides. They have baskets in New York."

Daniel is a student at the University of Florida. He is a freshman living on campus.

"Most definitely. I have a car, but to take it out all the time is such a hassle, especially if all I want to do is visit a friend that lives off campus. Uber be too expensive sometimes haha.

Where would they be most convenient for you?

Daniel: "Probably by the bus stops would be the most ideal place".

Mikey is a 41 year old lower classed citizen I met near Newberry Road. He works at one of the stores in the mall.

Mikey: "I do have a car, but I live paycheck to paycheck so most of the times I use the bus to go to work. Rent is so expensive as it is and every penny counts. Your idea would be cool if there was an inexpensive method to pay for the bike rentals. It would be my go-to use of transport since I live close to my job.

Marcella works on Archer road and lives in Newberry. She goes to Santa Fe.

Marcella: "I'm currently saving for a car, but with classes and everything it's not looking so hot. I take the bus to go everywhere, and Archer is the only place I could find a job." Sometimes I'm late to work because of the bus drop off locations. It's weird, it drops relatively close to my job but its another 20 min walk. The biking system could work for me, however, I would have to see if it would be worth it with the route I currently take.

Joseph is a homeless man who lives on Archer Road. He is a retired vet with minimum funds.

"That would actually be fantastic. If I can use a public bike instead of the bus, I don't have to deal with people looking at me weird. I do not know how I would pay for a service if I don't have a lot of funds, but when I do it would be my prime way to get around the city."

5) Summary

In conclusion, the five people I interviewed were pretty confident they would use such a service. Each of them had their own little dilemmas and living situations, so it's hard to decipher how the final product would be truly beneficial to them if it is all just abstract. I learned that there is more to this development than just the simple idea and construction. Payment of the service has to be thought as well as the placement of stations, rental time periods, accessibility, etc. It is all a work in progress, but it would be a great start.