Ofo, one of a select few bike-sharing companies operating in Dallas, has reported usage climbing each month since starting up in the city in November 2017.
The company’s users have logged over 100,000 miles since the service set up shop in Dallas. The amount of trips increased by over 50% in December over the first month’s usage and in January, despite a cold spell, there was close to a 75% growth.
Like other bike-share companies here, Ofo’s statistics show that most of the bike trips, close to 70%, begin or terminate in proximity to a transit stop. In other cities Ofo serves, only about 50% fall into this category.
In a partnership with DART, the bike supplier has set up its yellow bikes in the vicinity of downtown Dallas rail stations as well as Mockingbird Station, and a couple of stops in Plano.
Many people are reluctant to use public transportation due to the ‘first-mile, last-mile dilemma’. A significant number of potential bus or light rail riders would have a mile walk each way to their place of business. Reducing this 30-minute walk to a 5-minute bike ride could be just the incentive these people need to take mass transit.
A flyer printing service could be helpful in providing the public with maps showing where Ofo bike stations can be found.
