Next summer, Columbus will see the launch of its first bike share network with over 300 bikes parked at 30 locations in Downtown and nearby neighborhoods. Users of the system will be able to visit any of the stations, borrow a bike to ride and return it to any of the stations.
“BikeShare is a low-cost, 24-hour transit system,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “We’ve taken big steps toward making Columbus one of the best biking cities in the nation, and I’m excited to add bike sharing to the mix.”
Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share has been selected to bring the system to Columbus in June 2013. The system will utilize an automated swipe card system that will feature single-day uses, three-day passes and yearly memberships. The cards can be purchased at stations or online.
“This program is a fabulous addition for Downtown, and I have no doubt we will see a significant increase in bicycle traffic,” said Cleve Ricksecker, executive director of the Capital Crossroads and the Discovery Special Improvement Districts. “Columbus BikeShare will be a big amenity not only for visitors to Columbus, but for Downtown employees and residents. ”
The 300 bikes that will be a part of the system are three-speed models designed for users over the age of 18. Bikes feature safety lights, a basket for hauling goods, and components to prevent theft. A maintenance team will repair broken bikes and redistribute them to stations throughout the city.
Alta Bicycle Share operates similar systems in Boston, Washington DC and Melbourne, with new systems also rolling out this coming spring in New York City and Portland.
Pricing structures have not yet been announced in Columbus, but the existing systems in Boston and DC charge $5-$7 per day, $12-$15 for a three-day pass, or $75-$85 for annual memberships. Once a pass has been purchased, the costs are then broken down based on time ridden. Any trip under 30 minutes from station to station is free, followed by charges broken down by half-hourly increments.
Columbus City Council is expected to approve legislation on Monday authorizing a one time expenditure of $2.2 million to purchase the bikes, stations and other equipment that will be operated by Alta.
Station locations will be decided this fall through resident and business input, while initial station locations will be centered near Downtown area attractions and employment centers. A map of proposed approximate locations can be found below.
To read more about the concept of bike share systems, click here: Big Ideas: Trending Cycles.
Fantastic news. It would be great if the bike share fare card could be integrated with a COTA fare card.
Some locations just don’t make sense. The one at Dorian (?) Commons on S High just north of the highway has no destinations. The one at the Motorists’ Building doesn’t either which is especially questionable when Olde Towne East at Parsons & Oak has numerous spots to walk to but no bike share station planned. Is it for the irony? The “German Village” station is a short walk along a couple of blocks from the other one on destination-rich 3rd St. Franklinton’s is in the middle of nowhere: should be next to the new spots on the east side or the restaurants on W Broad. And the Brewery District’s should be closer north to where all the bars are concentrated. If you want to ride, park, and walk to High-Beck or Double Happiness you have to walk a dozen blocks north and then after a grabbing a bite and a couple beers walk just as many blocks south or park north of the highway where there’s nothing and walk along an anti- pedestrian environment/the highway bridge. Clearly, these locations even at a preliminary level were not well thought out.
Adjusting or removing just a few wonky locations to extend the system north of 1st Ave in the Short North would alone be a huge improvement, especially considering how far removed Franklin Park is, yet it’s slated to get one. It should be obvious that you’d get more riders wanting to ride north of 1st Ave in the Short North than you would around the Bail Bond District and Motorists’ Building. But what do I know, I only live in a city full of these.