Atlanta plans to launch its new bike share program in 2015
Bikeshare program will include 500 bikes and 50 rental stations
- Courtesy Atlanta Bicycle Share
Atlanta residents and visitors will soon be able to rent a bike, ride across town, and drop off their two-wheeler close to their destination. After years of planning and negotiations, city officials have signed contracts companies to launch the Atlanta Bike Share later this year.
Mayor Kasim Reed today inked an agreement with several different companies that will help launch and operate the city’s new bike share program. Five hundred bicycles will be available for short-term rentals and can be picked up and dropped up at 50 different rental stations.
“Over the past three years we have achieved several major milestones for citizens to enjoy bicycle riding along city streets, paths and trails,” Reed said in the statement. “With the signing of the contract today, we’re able to accomplish another major step forward to become a top U.S. city for bicycling.”
Cycle Hop LLC, the city’s lead bike share operator after winning the bidding process early in 2014, manages two-wheel programs in Phoenix, Tampa, and Orlando. The Chicago-based company will work with bike technology company Social Bicycles, local transportation planning firm Center Forward, and local brand design firm Iconologic.
The city’s planning department is currently determining where to install the bike share stations. The bike share operation will use Social Bicycles’ smart-bike system to equip each bike with a GPS-enabled locking device. That system will allow a rider to park the bike at any public bike rack or rental station. Officials also plan to set up a website and mobile app to allow riders to find and rent available bicycles.
Rebecca Serna, executive director of Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, says the program’s pending launch is an important moment for making the city more accessible to residents and visitors alike. It can also make a person’s experience with the city more memorable, she says.
“Bike share isn’t just about biking,” she says. “It’s about making short trips that much easier. Even if you’re driving, you don’t have to drive to go a mile. It’s great for those middle trips. It’s going to be a huge convenience factor for transit riders and will make transit more useful. Bike share is going to give people a much better experience in the city.”
According to the mayor’s office, the city hopes the bike share program will help double the number of bike commuters by 2016. Want to suggest a bike station location or eventually buy a membership? Visit AtlantaBikeShare.com for more details.
We’ve reached out to the city for more details and to Cycle Hop LLC and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition for comment.