News

California communities rally against bike rental kiosks

February 2, 2017

Residents from La Jolla, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, California gathered at the La Jolla Community Center this week to speak out against DecoBike, the city’s planned bike share program. Under the plan, DecoBike will install 12 to 14 kiosks throughout La Jolla, Bird Rock and La Jolla Shores. The installation date is pending. 

Arranged by the La Jolla Community Planning Association and the Mission Beach Precise Planning Committee, the meeting included a presentation outlining what DecoBike is and why it is not appropriate for La Jolla. The meeting also showed how it has impacted communities where its kiosks have been installed, why these communities oppose it, and where opposition organizers would like to go from here. 

Listing the reasons DecoBike does not work in San Diego and specifically La Jolla, one resident said the DecoBike company: 1) has a series of negative reviews online (ranging from complaints about multiple credit card charges, issues with getting bikes in and out of kiosks, and difficulty reaching customer service); 2) does not provide locks or helmets to its users; 3) offers bikes that are not recommended for the hilly topography found in La Jolla; and 4) is not practical as a non-car alternative because there are no large public transit stations in La Jolla.