To the Editor:

When I was in my 20’s I spent some time traveling and working in and around Europe. Denmark and Holland in particular were incredibly bike friendly with bike lanes, racks and inexpensive rental kiosks everywhere. I loved it! Whenever I go to Vancouver B.C. I take advantage of the readily available bike rentals, it’s such a great way to get to know a place.

Town Supervisor Paul Feiner has suggested that the Greenburgh river villages (Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown) and other Hudson River communities (Yonkers, Ossining, Sleepy Hollow, Croton, Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Buchanan and Peekskill) consider placing bicycle sharing racks near the Hudson River or at train stations in their communities. I think this is a terrific idea and support it wholeheartedly.

I love Westchester, I have lived most of my half century here. This is something I would take advantage of as a resident who doesn’t want to buy, store or transport a bike and who could use the exercise.

Bike sharing can help promote tourism as well as providing an economic boost to the downtown local merchants. Visitors could take the train to Westchester and then rent an inexpensive bicycle. More tourism, without the traffic.

I’m including a link for one of many examples for automated, unattended bicycle vending stations that includes the option to check out and return a bike at any station in the cycle network: www.goinggreenbikeshare.com

The revenue from rentals should help offset the cost of start up and maintenance but the less trackable profit is in the increase of local business from the increased tourism. I hope many of my neighbors will agree and speak up in support, I’m ready to ride!

Janine Mayhew
Hartsdale