The Chainlink

NIMBYs invalidate my newly purchased Divvy membership

I'd been waiting to get my Divvy membership until stations popped up near me. I work in the suburbs, not downtown, so I mainly want a membership in order to more easily get to and from the train on those days when I don't feel like riding 22 miles roundtrip to work.

I finally bought my membership on Monday when I saw new stations opening up closer and closer to me. I was thrilled earlier today to read on Divvy's Twitter feed that a station is going up very close to me, on Addison and Pine Grove.

And then I read this: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-divvy-bike-sharing-lawsuit-2....

I'm furious. What can I (we) do to counter these NIMBY types? I think it's entirely unfair that a couple of cranky people can ruin bikeshare for my neighborhood.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 22, 2013 at 11:57am

Maybe all of us with annual memberships should head over and check out a bike from that station!

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 22, 2013 at 12:20pm



Cameron 7.5 mi said:

I encourage anyone with a really ugly car or suspicious looking van to go park in the adjacent spaces.

Given their response to Divvy, my guess is they might well call the city to report the car as "abandoned", provoking a tow...

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on August 22, 2013 at 12:28pm
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 22, 2013 at 12:29pm

Not exactly... they are portraying the potential problems as if it were a bus stop, but in reality it would bring with it none of the real-world problems a bus stop could bring (I wouldn't want a bus stop in front of my building either...)

Jason W said:

“Strangers will be at the front door, 24 hours a day and children who come and go from the building, which has no doorman, will be at risk,” Kolin, a lawyer, wrote in the suit filed Wednesday. The station “will destroy thousands of dollars of improvements made by the resident members.”

Strangers outside your door? Sounds like everyone (including me) who has a bus stop if front of their house. I wonder if this guy would sue to remove a bus stop too. I would also like to see how he proves the station destroyed improvements they made.

Anyway, I wouldn't get too upset. Entitled lawyer pricks like this are always looking for a reason to sue. He doesn't have any real case here.

Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on August 22, 2013 at 1:43pm

I live a 4 minute walk away, so obviously I was pretty excited about the station.

Key word being was.  I stopped by yesterday on my way home to take a look...

What a monstrosity!  Bikes?!  Where cars should be?!  I can already imagine the grungy hippies camping out, while drunk Cubs fans violently vomit on the building's lovely flowers.  After I took the picture a garbage truck actually had an accident; when considering whether or not to clean up the spilled trash, the driver shrugged his shoulders and said, "eh, it's inevitable that this area will soon be filled with rubbish anyway.  I'm off for another pint."  Some hoodlums came to look through the trash, in search of copper wiring.  I heard them muttering to themselves about how they like shanking lawyers.  It really is the most unfortunate situation possible for that intersection.

Permalink Reply by Davo on August 22, 2013 at 1:49pm

Looks like that area is all fenced off anyway. So whats the problem?

Permalink Reply by Jason W on August 22, 2013 at 1:52pm

I don't see the bus stop in front of my place as a problem. Perhaps in a worse neighborhood, but not mine, and especially not Addison and Pine Grove. In fact it is rather nice when it is cold or raining and I get to wait in my foyer while mother nature dumps on everyone else.

Anyway the point is I think he will have a very difficult time proving damages, and the burden of proof is on him.

h' 1.0 said:

Not exactly... they are portraying the potential problems as if it were a bus stop, but in reality it would bring with it none of the real-world problems a bus stop could bring (I wouldn't want a bus stop in front of my building either...)

Jason W said:

“Strangers will be at the front door, 24 hours a day and children who come and go from the building, which has no doorman, will be at risk,” Kolin, a lawyer, wrote in the suit filed Wednesday. The station “will destroy thousands of dollars of improvements made by the resident members.”

Strangers outside your door? Sounds like everyone (including me) who has a bus stop if front of their house. I wonder if this guy would sue to remove a bus stop too. I would also like to see how he proves the station destroyed improvements they made.

Anyway, I wouldn't get too upset. Entitled lawyer pricks like this are always looking for a reason to sue. He doesn't have any real case here.

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on August 22, 2013 at 1:55pm
I'm with Lisa and think we should all (esp.Divvy members)go use bikes there. I'm going tomorrow. Anyone wanna ride around?
Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on August 22, 2013 at 1:59pm

Just don't take all of them!  I need one of them to get to work tomorrow morning!

Sarah D. 1-3.3 said:

I'm with Lisa and think we should all (esp.Divvy members)go use bikes there. I'm going tomorrow. Anyone wanna ride around?
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 22, 2013 at 2:05pm

I think there is maybe one small concern that would have any merit (but I haven't seen it mentioned by Mr. White Privilege)

In Chicago it is illegal to park within 30 feet of a stop sign, so that sight lines in the intersection are clear. Apparently that does not apply to Divvy stations. The Billboard is well within the 30-feet no parking zone, blocking the sight lines.


Christine (5.0) said:

I live a 4 minute walk away, so obviously I was pretty excited about the station.

Key word being was.  I stopped by yesterday on my way home to take a look...

What a monstrosity!  Bikes?!  Where cars should be?!  I can already imagine the grungy hippies camping out, while drunk Cubs fans violently vomit on the building's lovely flowers.  After I took the picture a garbage truck actually had an accident; when considering whether or not to clean up the spilled trash, the driver shrugged his shoulders and said, "eh, it's inevitable that this area will soon be filled with rubbish anyway.  I'm off for another pint."  Some hoodlums came to look through the trash, in search of copper wiring.  I heard them muttering to themselves about how they like shanking lawyers.  It really is the most unfortunate situation possible for that intersection.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 22, 2013 at 2:08pm

Won't they just ride Divvy bikes from elsewhere, park them in that rack, then check out another?

Christine (5.0) said:

Just don't take all of them!  I need one of them to get to work tomorrow morning!

Sarah D. 1-3.3 said:

I'm with Lisa and think we should all (esp.Divvy members)go use bikes there. I'm going tomorrow. Anyone wanna ride around?
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 22, 2013 at 2:16pm

If I have time, I might walk over there and take one to the meeting at the Nature Museum tonight instead of taking my own bike.

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