March 2

UPDATE: Seattle Council can’t count. Pronto bike program still muddles on – will the new City Council districts make a difference?

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Update March 10: Since folks are still commenting on this:

The Seattle Times’ Brier Dudley has a piece much discussed on talk radio: Pronto alternative: bike ownership.

And Publicola’s Josh Feit has a rebuttal: A Bike Policy for Adults.

Off-topic, but about biking, the Seattle Bike Blog has a post slamming sharrows, but also sort-of explaining them. (“The sharrow is the city’s most prolific graffiti tag.”)

———————————-

Update Thursday afternoon: Two days after the fact, The Seattle Times has a new story saying the city claims Tuesday’s vote on Pronto was not in fact split 3-3 but actually favored bailing out Pronto 4-2 because:

1) Councilwoman Debora Juarez, who represents Maple Leaf and north Seattle, actually voted “aye.”

2) Committee chair Mike O’Brien, a Pronto backer, counted wrong.

The story is here: Seattle council panel’s Pronto vote wasn’t an even split, after all.

Though Juarez didn’t contest O’Brien’s take at the time, she actually voted “Aye,” which means the real result was 4-2 in favor of buying the struggling bike-sharing program for $1.4 million. That’s what the council’s official record now shows.

With a 3-3 tie, the plan to rescue Pronto would have gone to the full council March 14 with no recommendation from the committee. The 4-2 result means there will be a recommendation that the full council vote to prop up the program.

SeattleBikeBlog has posted here.

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Pronto – Seattle’s bike renting program which will go broke at month’s end (and would already be insolvent if the city hadn’t spent nearly a third of a million dollars bailing it out at the turn of the year) – is still adrift.

On Tuesday the city’s transportation committee – now called the “Sustainability & Transportation Committee” – split  3-3 on whether Pronto should be saved for another $1.4 million.

(Editorial snark: The old public safety committee is now named the “Gender Equity, Safe Communities & New Americans Committee. We originally thought public safety might have become the new “Human Services & Public Health Committee,” but perhaps that’s the one saddled with The Jungle, another place to watch how the new council functions.)

Our interest in Pronto is not so much in whether it’s useful to Maple Leaf and the north end – it’s not, unless you take a bus or, soon, light rail, downtown – but in its politics.

How will Seattle City Council members, newly elected by district to represent specific neighborhoods, vote?

In this case, Debora Juarez, who represents the north end’s Council District 5, including most of Maple Leaf, voted on Tuesday against the buyout.

Councilman Rob Johnson, who represents Maple Leaf’s southern toe and points south in District 4, is an enthusiastic “yes,” and has posted such on the City’s web site: Why investing in bike-share matters.

For more about districts citywide, go here.

The Seattle Times has coverage of Tuesday’s meeting here: City Council can’t make up its mind over saving bike-share program.

Councilmember Mike O’Brien, who chairs the committee, voted for purchase, as did Rob Johnson and Kshama Sawant. Councilmembers Lisa Herbold, Tim Burgess and Debora Juarez voted against the plan.

O’Brien represents Northwest Seattle, Sawant represents the Central District.

Herbold represents West Seattle/South Park, Burgess’ district covers the entire city.

Publicola has coverage here: Council Agrees Bike Sharing Is Good, but Finds Little Common Ground During Tense Pronto Hearing.

Crosscut has coverage here: Rescuing Pronto bikeshare divides Seattle council.

And The Stranger is here, After Council Vote, Still No Clear Answer on Whether the City Will Save Pronto, with Heidi Groover writing these two most pertinent graphs:

That underscores one interesting thing we learned today: This new council’s voting blocs may be less predictable that the last city council. Sawant and Herbold, considered allies, split on this. The populist Sawant found herself on the same side as Johnson, who faced criticism during the campaign because he won support from business and restaurant interests.

Finally, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell about one mostly irrelevant but totally idiotic thing that happened at today’s meeting. As SDOT’s Nicole Freedman was explaining to the city council the risks of private operation of a bike share system, she mentioned that in Miami Beach, a Playboy Playmate was a spokesperson for bike share. Her message: You’re not in control! Anything could happen!

The full City Council votes on Monday, March 14th.  15th .

About the author 

Sara W

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  1. I can’t understand why North Seattle council member Debora Juarez wants to double-down on this money-losing venture when 2 years of experience suggests it will never find a market in wet, hilly Seattle. Way too many other city needs to justify gambling millions of dollars to prop up this program. If you want to email Juarez : debora.juarez@seattle.gov

  2. If Pronto was in our neighborhood, I would use it. One of the reasons I don’t bike some places is because of the security of locking my bike up at my destination. If I was able to dock it in one of the Pronto racks, it would mean it’s something I don’t have to worry about. Grab bike, ride, deposit, carry on with life. Instead, I have to drive, because auto theft is a lot more involved (and the consequences are MUCH harsher) than bicycle theft.
    And if you think that removing cars from the road and replacing them with bicycles doesn’t ease congestion (especially on Roosevelt with almost complete bike lane coverage) then I have nothing more to say.

    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!

  3. You’re the one that wrote I should get “fired.”

    I guess we will never agree on spending precious taxpayer money on a money losing, under used, non-essential bike sharing program that will do nothing to relieve or improve traffic congestion. Hopefully, the real adults on the City Council will make the right decision and save District 4 voters from the folly of Rob “One-Term” Johnson.

    For my “old folks” who are District 4 voters, repeat the mantra. Say it loud, say it quietly, say it daily, say it to your friends, say it to strangers, say it on Facebook, say it on Twitter:

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson

    Have a nice day, Tim.

  4. Sorry, but admitting that you screwed up does not excuse you from exercising poor judgement. You’re still fired.

    Have fun spreading the word at your old folks home. If any of you are still around during the next election, perhaps you can take a more logical approach to selecting a candidate: Looking at the qualifications of each candidate in comparison to each other. If you think Rob Johnson is “a spoiled child” then I say the pot is calling the kettle black because you’re whining about him being in charge because he made one decision you don’t like. If he seeks reelection, I’ll look at his track record then. Other candidates may be better or worse. Judging before then is premature, though that shouldn’t stop you from contacting his office to voice your displeasure in his decisions. Note that I’m not involved in that office–nor do I work for any form of government or political organization–I’m just a resident like you are. I think the only difference is that I realize that we can’t keep adding more cars to the road (and also that I don’t use a hoverround).

    I have no idea where you get the notion that a councilmember can fire their constituents. They’re the people that elected him to serve them so I have no idea why this would even occur to them.

    Question for you: Do you despise all government programs that lose money? Because the last time I checked, the Seattle Public Library system does not make enough money to fund itself by charging 10 cents for late fees and copies. Did you lead a crusade in 1868 to eschew the councilmembers that initiated this non-essential, under-used, money-losing program?

    Also, I don’t think “business sense” is a prequalification to representing a community. Businesses should make money; government programs should help people. If you think “business sense” is key, just look at this lying sack of potatoes.

    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!

  5. I suspect “Tim” is an alias for Rob “One-Term” Johnson or his staff member.

    The fact that public money is only available for transportation does NOT justify spending it on a non-essential, under-used, money losing bike sharing program. PRONTO was a money loser yesterday; and it’ll be a money loser tomorrow. More money can’t fix it.

    It angers me when Councilmember Rob “One-Term” Johnson doesn’t realize that “public” money comes from the pockets of taxpayers. Taxpayers who don’t have the deep pockets that he can’t pickpocket for his money losing pet project.

    Councilmember Rob “One-Term” Johnson should also realize that he can’t “fire” his constituents. His constituents can, however, FIRE him. He might want me to go away, but I have no where else to go nor will I surrender my city to Rob “One-Term” Johnson. I love my neighbors. I love my neighborhood. I love my city.

    Like many voters in District 4, I’m a retiree. Councilmember Rob “One-Term” Johnson’s biggest nightmare should be retirees with plenty of time on their hands who will work feverishly to spread the word that Rob “One-Term” Johnson does NOT have the business sense, common sense, and fiscal responsibility to represent them.

    Since you’re upset that I forgot to include the District 4 voters mantra and to show that I have good judgment, here it is again. Say it loud, say it quiet, say it daily:

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson

  6. I think in your anger you have forgotten that not all taxes are equal. Pronto has been funded with a combination of public and private money. Of the public money, some of it came in the form of grants. Those grants were only available to transportation projects. Even if Pronto had never existed, the money would NOT have been available for schools, the police/fire dept, our parks, homeless shelters, or animal shelters. So to say that the council believes bike sharing is more important than education is misleading because some of the money couldn’t have been spent on education even if we wanted to. The non-restricted revenue sources, however, you’re completely right. While you’re at it, can you tell the state legislature to use the general fund on education rather than highway expansion?

    Also, forgetting to put your little mantra at the bottom reflects your poor judgement. You’re fired.

    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!

  7. I forgot the District 4 voters mantra:

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson

  8. Tim,

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson is making a decision that many Seattleites and, I hope, a majority of his fellow councilmembers disagree with.

    Unfortunately, Rob “One-Term” Johnson believes winning a seat on the city council gives him the mandate to recklessly spend large sums of taxpayers’ money on a money losing, non-essential bike-sharing program. A BiKE-SHARING PROGRAM! If that’s so important, then let’s take money away from our schools, the police/fire dept, our parks, homeless shelters, animal shelters, road maintenance, etc. to pay for it instead of raising property taxes.

  9. It’s not stupidity. It’s a decision you don’t agree with.

    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!

  10. Tim,

    If I displayed as much bad judgment as Johnson has in my job, I would be fired. The fact that he’s been in office for only a few months is NO excuse because you can’t cure stupidity.

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson

  11. He’s been in office a few months and you’re already calling for him to be let go? I sure hope your boss doesn’t have the ability to fire you on such a whim.

    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!
    Bo has got to go!

  12. Tim,

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson won by 708 votes over his competition, but that was before we learned that he has no business sense, common sense, or fiscal responsibility. Now that we know he fooled District 4 voters into voting for him – he needs to go.

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson

  13. BRAD – Councilmember Rob “One-Term” Johnson reminds me of our former one-term mayor Mike McGinn. Like McGinn, the only voice that Johnson hears is the echo of his own voice which makes him believe his “attitude and behavior is . . . cherished by Seattle voters.” McGinn thought the the same thing.

    In this short tenure as a councilmember, Rob “One-Term” Johnson’s position on PRONTO has displayed his complete lack of business sense, common sense, and fiscal responsibility. The fact that Johnson lacks the math skills to count to 4 makes it obvious that “fiscal responsibility” is far beyond his comprehension and he’s a liability that could bankrupt Seattle property owners with more taxes to support non-essential, money losing pet projects.

    District 4 voters should remember this by repeating the mantra:

    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson
    Rob “One-Term” Johnson

    Hopefully, it will resonate with District 4 voters now and until the next election (which can’t happen soon enough).

  14. Pronto is a failure. We live in a very hilly city and those bikes are fixed gear. No uphill riders. They have vans going around all day taking the bikes back up hills to the racks. Cut it loose and move on! Another waste at our expense!!

  15. Bo, what makes you think Rob Johnson will be a one time Councilmember? What indication do you have that Johnson’s attitude and behavior is anything but cherished by Seattle voters?

  16. Councilmember Rob Johnson’s “Why investing in bike-sharing matters” is absolutely garbage. The guy is totally clueless. He reminds me of a spoiled child who wants his parents to buy him everything because he’s not paying for it and money grows on a tree. His argument that it’s a “modest investment” but what happens when it becomes a bottomless money-pit. It’ll become a “costly investment” but Councilmember Johnson doesn’t care because he’ll be a one-term Councilmember and it’ll be someone else’s problem.

  17. All these council members can get endorsements from Cascade bicycle club which has thousands of members and supports PRONTO (even though PRONTO sucks!). I think some council members are thinking about getting reelected and are being influenced by that instead of representing their constituents. Keep telling your council members how you feel – hope they will get the message!

  18. How incredibly disappointing and a yet another waste of taxpayer money. The bike racks I pass in my daily travels are full of bikes.

    Bikes, Bertha, Brutalist architecture. Sad to say, but I have no confidence in the city council or mayor.

  19. The confirmation that the Seattle City Council cannot even determine whether a vote was 4-2 or 3-3 is simply mind-boggling. Is this the level of incompetence that we have to tolerate?

    My property tax bill went up 16% this year, so maybe I’m just a little touchy at the moment, but I’m more than a little disappointed at how little value I’m getting for my tax dollars in this city. While the cost of Pronto is just a tiny fraction of the city budget (especially now that SDOT is swimming in money now thanks to passage of the “Move Seattle” levy last year), it’s still another symbol of money not well spent.

    Very disappointing.

  20. Between Pronto and Bertha, when do we cut our losses? I agree with both desired sentiments; better public transportation, better bike access. But as an avid walker and a former cyclist, I am daily moving aside on the walking sidewalk to accommodate sidewalk cyclists where there is a bike lane available in the street. (It’s called a sideWALK for a reason). Where are my tax dollars going? Will these projects ever come to fruition, to our benefit? Without breaking the bank? Zoikes, I wish the best for my city, always.

  21. Does anyone know why Pronto failed? I’ve Pronto riders trying to navigate the crowded sidewalks of SLU which makes me think it’s not working out there. I sure wouldn’t want brave the busy streets there -bike lanes or not navigating around buses, cement trucks, cars, backhoes, streetcars and more!

  22. My property taxes went up about a thousand bucks last year, and our cars are taxed eighty bucks more, doubling their tab renewal cost. I would say “no” on Pronto getting any more money, I can’t afford to keep on being fleeced. Every transaction I have had with our government lately removes money from my wallet.

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