The approval on two wheels

With businesses, colleges and many cities of the country, realizing Rentabike calling programs, it seems quite logical that real luxury is not far behind. Last month, as Citi in New York bike began circulating, the affiliates added bicycles as the most recent approval in 10 rental buildings in Manhattan.

"It's like taking a stroll through an English garden," said Penelope Crabtree, describing the journey she took on the way to the Hudson River, a recent weekend. Although Mrs. Crabtree, a longtime Tribeca Tower related resident, has her own bike, a friend was visiting out-of-town and wanted to join her for the tour. With the new equipment, the pair was able to spend several days in whole bike during the visit. "I'll probably only use it for customers," Ms. Crabtree said service.

At the beginning of 2012, related and bike-sharing activities Zagster introduced a pilot program in Boston of Related rental, One Back Bay. "They were looking to provide bikes for residents," where residents "wouldn't have to do anything at all," said Timothy J. Ericson, Chief of the direction of Zagster and one of its founders.

Zagster has provided bicycles and residents have begun to use them. "I certainly knew of the town in a much more intimate way,", said Lindsey O'Neill, 32, who lives in a Back Bay. After a few months of use, she found that she loved having a bike so she bought her own.

"It gives you the flexibility," said Daria Salusbury, senior vice president of the associates.

Last month, Zagster and Related deployed the service in New York, installation of two to four bikes in some related rental buildings, many of which are near the Hudson River and Central Park - territory cycling begins.

Ernie and Inge Popke reside in a residential complex, the Westport near Columbus Circle. They live for about four years and have their own bike. "We have quite often guests who come to town," said Ms. Popke, and she and her husband are 'delighted' with bright blue Zagster bikes in the garage of the building. "Get decent rental bicycles is not the easiest," said M. Popke. This, however, was "very easy".

To use the authorisation, residents sign up online, providing credit card information and phone number. They can either book a bike on the Web Zagster site or select one in the person. Then they the number on the bike to Zagster, which responds with a code for the lockbox of text attached to the back of each bike. They enter the code, remove the key, unlock the framework and off they go. Once they took the bike to the original location, they simply text the word "end". Safe after each use area code changes. "This is something all of James Bond," said Mrs. Crabtree.

Residents can use the Zagster bikes free of charge up to two hours, after which they pay $5 for the rest of the day. The pricing structure reinforces the idea that the action is designed for recreational purposes, rather than commute, which would make bicycles unavailable to others for the better part of the day. (Bike Citi, therefore, could serve as a supplement, and not a replacement.)

Asked about smart thieves from New York, Mr. Ericson expressed optimism. "Nothing is theft," he says, "but theft-resistant is the goal here. We use COGS custom through the bikes, making them very difficult to fly."

It is too early to gauge the popularity of the approval, here in New York. An associate resident, Justin Gamble, 36, said that when he realized that he had to fill out a profile online for Zagster as well as Citi Bike, he decided to hold off to see if Citi bike could be sufficient for its purposes. Others were not yet aware of the action, or thought it was a good idea in theory, but do not know if they would use it effectively.

Yet, if accessibility is the ultimate goal, then Ms. Salusbury was well: "' how much more practical is it possible that in the garage of your building?".

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