“I support ad-supported bike share programs. It is kind of making a deal with the devil, but the urban planning benefits have been demonstrated strongly. Getting cars out of the city, is worth the extra visual advertising.”

What exactly does the advertising do to help, here? I mean, I’m a little bit playing devil’s advocate too, ’cause I know what you’re getting at, but can’t you support bike-share programs without the ads?

There used to be a system called corporate philanthropy, where big companies with a lot of money would simply donate to programs of public service because they care. (And because word of mouth would eventually leak out to the interested parties anyway, who showed their appreciation with the purchase of goods and services.)

Wouldn’t a bike-share program be a perfect place to bring that kind of support back? Hopefully only for non-stupid bikes?

I mention it because it’s really easy to forget that these things are all still possible without the advertising. And by forgiving it in bikeshare programs, we forgive it on our public streets and in our personal relationships and at our political conventions. You don’t need it!

Then, on the sign it says “interactive outdoor advertising.” I’ll give you 2 and 3, but interactive?