Like mushrooms suddenly appearing after the rain, ride-sharing bicycles are popping up all around my neighborhood (University Heights East) as well as North Park—and from two separate providers: LimeBike and Ofo. The sightings started several weeks ago, one or two, here or there. Now these things are absolutely everywhere!
The Featured Image makes the point. In the foreground, at Alabama and Madison, two Ofos are parked, while across the way—go ahead, count `em—another four can be seen. Out of view are two more further along towards Adams Ave. Photo vitals, aperture manually set: f/5.6, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, 28mm; 8:31 a.m. PST, today.
The second photo, of an Ofo along Mississippi, is composed as shot. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/2, ISO 100, 1/5000 sec, 28mm; 11:01 a.m. Well, how about some competition? Further along the street, near Lafayette Hotel on El Cajon Blvd., the two competitors were parked together. Got to say that the LimeBike is prettier. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/5.6, ISO 100, 1/640 sec, 11:10 a.m. I used Leica Q for all three.
Riders use an Android or iOS app to locate a bike, then to pay and to unlock. Ofo charges $1 per hour, and LimeBike same for 30 minutes. The latter also offers bulk buying, such as 100 rides for $29.95 monthly. University student discounts are available.