Why the NYC bike share is Delayed

From GOTHAM GAZETTE NEW YORK — The firm picked by the city to run what is meant to be the nation's largest bicycle share program has been dogged by questions about how it got a contract to run a similar system in Chicago, while its partner is being sued by a key software developer. City officials announced last week that the much-anticipated bike share program would be delayed from its expected roll-out this summer to March 2013. Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed the system’s software. “The software doesn’t work. Duh,” Bloomberg said on his radio show. “We’re not going to put it out until it does work.” There may be a good reason why the software doesn’t work: It’s unfinished. According to the city official in charge of the recently launched bike share program in Chattanooga, Tenn., which uses the same platform, the software is undergoing “ongoing development.” "There's still work to be done — features to be added — and that's where we are at the current time," said Philip Pugliese, of Bike Chattanooga. Link to full story

IN SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE NORTH DAKOTA, A GAY CANDIDATE USING THE WEB TO WIN (TechPresident)

BY Cody Lyon | Friday, August 3 2012 (from TECH PRESIDENT- PERSONALDEMOCRACY.COM Exclusively for Personal Democracy Plus subscribers: Joshua Boschee is an openly gay candidate for public office in a socially conservative state, but observers say he's got a real shot at becoming one of Fargo, North Dakota's next representatives in the state legislature. Boschee's home state of North Dakota has, according to one study, the lowest proportion of same-sex couples in the United States. It's a conservative state, although "conservative" means something different in the only state in the Union with a state-owned bank and a state-owned grain mill and elevator. LINK TO FULL STORY

Share your ride; Make some Cash- story from BIZJOURNALS.

by CODY LYON 8/4 ...FROM UPSTART-"But while riding in a car with a potential BFF sounds more fun than schlepping to a crowded, stinky bus station—and whole lot cheaper than a plane or train—what happens if you're a chatty self-professed fashion junkie who enjoys Madonna in a smoke-free, air-conditioned environment? Your idea of a perfect nightmare might be a road trip with a patchouli-wearing, pack-a-day Marlboro Man driver that prefers listening to Phish with the top down for the four-hour drive to our nation's capital. To help avoid such uncomfortable rides, users need a Facebook account to set up profiles at the Zimride website. That lets both driver and passenger check each other out in advance, see if their musical tastes jive, and determine if they have some shared friends. Established in 2007, the ride-share program is just one of three products Zimride offers. The other two parts of the business are a short-route phone app-based service that’s being piloted in San Francisco and software that Zimride has licensed to 140 universities and private companies to help ease parking congestion." FULL STORY AT BIZJOURNALS

A plan for Austin's South Shores Central (Next American City)

by Cody Lyon from NEXT AMERICAN CITY On any given day after 5pm, thousands of joggers, cyclists and pedestrians descend onto the Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake in central Austin, Texas. For 5.4 miles on both the water’s north and south side, enchanted tree-lined paths offer big views of the lake, sunsets and twinkling lights of a constantly changing downtown skyline. It is one of those places, like Austin City Limits venue Zilker Park or the south side’s funky, food-truck-lined streets, that make the boho Texas capital what it is. Recently, property owners in the district — including the city’s daily paper, the Austin American-Statesman — have realized there is potential for growth yet untapped in the area, and put several tracts totaling 19 acres in the area up for sale. Given Austin’s boomtown status, it’s no secret that developers smell opportunity. Full story at AMERICANCITY.ORG

New York City and the nation's largest Bike Share (2 part series- Gotham Gazette)

Cody Lyon for Gotham Gazette NEW YORK – On a recent Sunday afternoon at the outdoor flea market along the Williamsburg, Brooklyn waterfront two blue bikes splashed with the Citibank logo stood under a tent awaiting riders. As hundreds of people walked among the flea market vendors, a few peeked in to check out the cycles. One guy said the bikes "ride pretty smooth." The unisex, 3-speed, bell-and-light-laden upright bikes were being demoed to give New Yorkers a chance to try out the city's big bike share before it gets up and running later this summer. Once it has been completely rolled out, the program will likely be the largest of its kind in the nation – and New York City will have finally joined other cities in the U.S. and in Europe, where such systems have been around for years. LINK TO PART ONE OF STORY ****************************************************************************************a LINK TO PART TWO

Will the new Bike Share Change the face of NYC

Will NYC bike share change the collective psyche on cycling in NYC (Gotham Gazette) Once it has been completely rolled out, the program will likely be the largest of its kind in the nation – and New York City will have finally joined other cities in the U.S. and in Europe, where such systems have been around for years. If the $41 million program makes it in the city, it could potentially transform the way that New Yorkers get around the metropolis with hundreds of thousands of new bike trips being taken each year. But will the Big Apple's collective psyche shift from the bike being perceived as a tool of recreation and exercise to that of a more utilitarian or alternative form of public transit? Will it be safe, in a city that is notoriously peevish toward cyclers? Simply put, will the share program usher in broader acceptance of the bike? Link to full story

Accepting my human Vulnerability on Two Wheels

by CODY LYON Images below-

I ride my bike pretty much everywhere I go here in New York City. This past year, while living and working in Austin, I pretty much subscribed to the same practice.

I got back to New York the first week of June and since then, have been using my bike as a primary mode of transporation but also, kissing the city I love so much. There's nothing like catching up with familiar sights up and downtown while pedaling from neighborhood to neighborhood each with distinct flavors and sounds. It's also easier to catch the city's waves of infectious street energy while pedaling past the walking masses on their way to meetings, lunch or maybe just the gym. Cyling is the best way to scope out new construction projects across town that could lead to potential new stories for a real estate reporter-like me. And, like a child in a candy store, I've had my I Phone with me everywhere, taking photos and showing them off-in real time- on facebook as well as other social media sites.

But- recent events have reminded me that I've been pedaling sans helmet again. My most recent excuse-fitting-you see, I have a large head. In Austin, it was the heat, oh it gets to hot under there. Then of course,pure vanity, my hair-or, oh at forty something- I'll look dorky? What's really stupid is the fact that the minimal protective armor a helmet provides has been shown to reduce the incidence of catastrophic injury that can occur when skull-bone- meets hard concrete or the steel frames of a moving tons heavy austomobile or truck.

Worth noting- cycling in New York City increased 8% between 2010 and 2011, 102% since 2007, and 289% compared to 2001. During the same time, safety increased for all road users. As recently as 2010-of the more than 6,000 New York City traffic accidents that involved cyclists, 36 people died, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Also in New York City- 92% of all bicyclist fatalities occurred as a result of crashes with motor vehicles, and 91% of bicyclists who died were male.

As part of my welcome home to New York City, I've had two close calls on my bike over the past 8 days. The first time-I was behaving foolishly-filming the sights of Times Square while riding on the bike lane. That behavior-despite being called out by a friend who'd spied me texting while riding my bike just days before. Although I was moving slow while obtaining my tourist footage, I wasn't looking ahead or paying full attention to my surroundings. Then suddenly-a cab door had swung open in my path- I hit it- and fell off my bike. That time I landed on my feet. It made for a silly You Tube video moment.

But then on Thursday June 15th at around 730, I was riding my bike along the Hudson west side bike path. At some point, around 105 st, perhaps I was distracted by the beautiful sunset or maybe my chain malfunctioned, as the EMS official later theorized. All I know is that I lost my footing and down I went. No cars, no other cyclist were involved at all-I'd gone against the statistics- this incident was just me and I was not wearing a helmet.

This time, as I flew down to kiss New York in a way I'd never intended, I had horrible and split second fatalistic thought that this was not good. Through the grace of God, I didn't hit my head or land in a way that compromised my upper spinal cord. Instead, my big chin took the brunt. Blood was gushing from my face, I felt the flap of flesh on my chin and rubbed my tounge on my teeth- they were all there.

Several people stopped, but two in particular stayed with me and waited until the EMS arrived to take me to the hospital. At St Luke's hospital, I was cleaned up- x-rayed and my chin was sewn up- 7 stitches. (Sweet folks in that ER.) Funny-but I look like Mike Tyson after a bad fight. Lessons learned- we are fragile creatures, eggshells on two wheels so NEVER ride without a helmet. Also, there are angels among us, like the two who stayed with me until help arrived. And friends like those who called and the one who came to get me and take me home- are to be treasured.

After these days of mishap and a painful but mild recovery but in fact-I'm accepting my vulnerability as a human being- I am only human. I only have one body, and one brain that is housed inside this shell called a skull. My spine allows me to walk and lift my arms and even scratch myself because it allows me to know, I have an itch.

Sometimes, accidents do happen regardless of how carefule we are, but it's probably best to to pay close attention to what I'm doing while riding a bike- and always-always wear a helmet. Otherwise, I may not be able to advocate for what I still believe is the most exhilarating, efficient and beautiful way to get around a city- esepcially the one I love most, New York.

New York City-

Crossed the Brooklyn Bridge by bike around 545 pm -then headed west to the WTC. Everyone else-thousands that they were- hurried off to rumbling trains, honking cabs or boats big and small-all heading to points north/south/east or west of this tiny sliver of earth downtown. But me, I stood with my bike and stared up. That's what happens after a year away from this magic island called Manhattan.-end.

Maintaining and Building a Viable Downtown Austin

EXCERPT FROM culturemap AUSTIN

We rarely need to get in our car. Life just feels simpler for us. The strange thing I’ve noticed is our lack of a need to get out to places like the grocery store. We just don’t need the same things we used to so our plate has been cleared of those soul crushing weekend errands, " said Westmoreland.

Close to 9,500 residents call downtown Austin “home." But even beyond that key core, within a three mile radius, are another almost 150,000 people and growing.

The desire to live, work and play downtown is measurable. But it remains to be seen exactly how leaders, planners and businesses will come together to sustain true healthy growth towards full downtown density enabling more Austinites to live, work and play downtown.
FULL STORY AT CULTUREMAP

Local music Legend and Austin nightlife titans form a venture (ABJ)

LINK TO STORY

excerpt from Austin Business Journal;

“I’ve been playing bars for 45 years and I’ve seen plenty of them open then close the next year,“ said Benson, who was only recently spurred to get into the bar business.
When approached with the idea to open a bar, Benson knew Luckie and Williamson had a solid record of food and beverage success and couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
There’s no doubt all three men recognize that nightlife is as much an industry, as it is entertainment. Millions are spent each year on the construction of bars and restaurants and Texans spend upwards of $4 billion a year on liquor alone, according to the Distilled Spirits Council . That figure doesn’t take into account cover charges and other revenue streams, all providing employment for thousands of people.

The Silent Market- KUT RADIO INTERVIEW

LINK TO STORY AT KUT

FROM KUT RADIO AUSTIN
Many high-end home sellers are bypassing the traditional multi-listing service in Austin, relying instead on the so-called “silent market.” Cody Lyon of the Austin Business Journal explains more about this word-of-mouth style of selling real estate.

I would describe it as sort of an insider’s club for home sellers. What you have are people who, for whatever reason, choose to market their homes more discreetly. The silent market is really a term that was coined by some folks who market homes not through the traditional multiple-listing service, but they do it by word of mouth. Probably the biggest benefit to not advertising on the multiple-listing service is the discretion that you are afforded by going quiet – by marketing quiet.

If you’re in a hurry to sell your home, then the multiple-listing service is the way to go. But if you’ve got a lot of time to kill, you know, you’re not really thinking about selling your home but you’re flirting with the idea of selling your home, if you put it on the silent market then you are able to sort of test the market and see whether or not there’s even any interest at all.

One broker that I spoke with told me that this is generally an area within five miles of the Capitol. He said that the homes start at around $500,000 and go up to $1 million or more.

Read Cody Lyon’s full article online at the Austin Business Journal.

KUT Radio Interview: Austin Water seeking long term Solutions

The city of Austin is revisiting water restrictions that may go into effect next year. As the drought continues, water levels in Lakes Travis and Buchanan drop ever lower. That could mean cutting back on water usage in Austin and elsewhere. In this week’s Austin Business Journal, Cody Lyon reports that the city is working with businesses on a possible rewrite of those rules. He tells KUT’s Matt Largey that no one took into account what would happen, if stringent water restrictions are needed for a prolonged period of time.

LINK TO KUT STORY

KUT RADIO INTERVIEW; Austin Retail Space Shrinking

LINK TO KUT RADIO BROADCAST

Austin businesses looking to change or expand locations are finding it’s getting harder and more expensive to do so. Cody Lyon of the Austin Business Journal discusses the challenges concerning retail space with KUT’s Ian Crawford.

Vacancy rates have risen to up to 7 percent in some areas, as opposed to 15 percent in parts of Round Rock and Williamson County. Coupled with a decline in retail construction, this is giving landlords more opportunity to be more selective about whom they rent to. In order to develop successful, working relationships with their tenants, landlords want to know the business plan.

Being up front with the landlord is beneficial because oftentimes they’ll work with you, Lyon said. There could be some flexibility in the beginning stages of the lease term, for example. Ultimately, your success is their success as well.

Cody Lyon, on whether Austin should expect to see more retail and office space built anytime soon:

I think we will eventually, but right now the issue is money. The issue is lending. The banks are not necessarily lending. There has been talk and there have been studies of outside money that’s looking to invest and Austin is one of those cities that has moved beyond what most people associate with Middle American cities.

Austin ranked as the number two market to watch in the United States in an Emerging Trends in Real Estate report released last week.

VISA Program Draws Mexican Investors looking to escape Cartel Violence; Link to KUT.ORG

FROM KUT.ORG; A program that provides U.S. visas for small-business investors from overseas is becoming more attractive to well-to-do Mexicans. Cody Lyon writes about the EB Immigrant Investor program in this week’s Austin Business Journal. He tells KUT Ian Crawford about the effect of drug violence is having on well-to-do Mexicans, and why may are looking north to invest their money..

The types of people that were looking to invest this money are people who are successful in Mexico – they have drivers, they have maids, they have ways of life that they can afford there. But they are targets of cartel violence. As I was told by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce here in Austin, it’s almost impossible to succeed in business in Mexico and not be a target of some sort of retribution.

You can hear the rest of the interview by clicking the audio player above.

Interview on KUT Radio Austin (Cody Lyon)

FROM KUT AUSTIN:</b> Three major hotel development projects are making progress in downtown Austin’s Central Business District. The area lacks a sufficient amount of rooms needed to house convention-goers, but a number of plans to remedy the issue of room stock have already fallen by the wayside.

Cody Lyon of the Austin Business Journal explains:

Smith Travel Research Inc. lists nine hotel projects as active in downtown Austin. If they were all built, they would add 3,219 rooms to the area. But a lack of financing has many experts counting them out of the running.

“I would be very surprised if half the rumored projects in Austin actually get built over the next three years due to on-going difficulties in the debt markets and the increased levels of required equity that many developers are simply not capable of producing or committing to,” Yiankes said.

According to Lyon, the district’s room stock will increase from 7,674 to about 10,000 if the three projects continue as expected.

LINK to KUT

Cody Lyon on KUT talking about Bastrop County Land Values post wildfires

LINK TO AUDIO

In this week’s Austin Business Journal, Cody Lyon looks at Bastrop County land values that could be cut in half as the real estate market faces dramatic ups and downs resulting from the wildfires that scorched almost 35,000 acres.

Dramatic value dips would be problematic for many landowners, but they could yield opportunities for investors looking to employ a patient buy-hold strategy while this patch of Texas recovers.

“We’re confident there will be some devaluation in the acreage charred by the fires,” said Cameron Boone, director of research at Lewis Realty Advisors Inc. Lewis Realty estimates the value of land directly impacted by wildfires could drop by up to 60 percent.

This might open the door for what some call vulture investors, who swoop in and offer pennies on the dollar for damaged properties, Boone said.

Click on the player to hear KUT’s Emily Donahue talk with Lyon about his report.

KUT Interview: Central Texas Wildfires leave thousands Displaced: Yet, Austin's rental market is tight; What's happening as a result?

FROM KUT AUSTIN 9/15/2011
In this week’s Austin Business Journal, Cody Lyon reports that thousands of residents displaced by wildfires may soon be flooding the already-tight Central Texas rental market.

“Not much rental housing has been built during the past two years due to the recession, leaving only about 4 percent of units vacant. That scarcity doesn’t bode well for the newly homeless. Many call the situation dire,” he reports.

Many residents will receive state and federal disaster aid. Agencies and even The Austin Board of Realtors are working with property owners to find available apartments and houses for short-term and longer rental.

Click on the player to hear KUT’s Emily Donahue’s interview with Lyon.

Link to radio interview at KUT

Story at ABJ

Cody Lyon at ABJ appearing on KUT/NPR on the Drought in Texas

link to story

Sunset: Lake Lady Bird in Austin; A Union Pacific train's crossing

Being interviewed by PR over Coffee

Link to podcast