About Bike Sharing
Bike sharing is an exciting new system that BikeWalkKC is launching to transform Kansas City.
What is bike sharing?
A revolutionary new transportation option that provides an exciting way for visitors and locals alike to get around town and discover our great city. It is especially useful for short trips between destinations in the central city. Bike sharing increases mobility while improving public health and air quality.
How does it work?
The system is fully automated and self-service. Just swipe your member card or your credit card, and a bike is automatically unlocked for you. When you get to your destination, just dock the bike at the nearest kiosk.
If your station has no bikes available or all the docks are full, there will usually be another station just a few blocks away.
Where is it?
Today bike share systems are operating in cities as varied as Denver, Minneapolis, Omaha, Des Moines, Miami, Washington DC, Broward County FL, San Antonio, Honolulu, and Boston. In the coming year that list will grow to include New York City, Chicago, Nashville, San Francisco, Houston, and others.
How much does it cost?
We are striving to provide a very affordable system for short trips, with a small membership fee of $5-10 for 24 hours or $50-75 for a year. After joining, individual rentals are price based on how long you have the bike checked out. Stay tuned for detailed pricing information.
Who is it for?
Bike sharing has three principal audiences: 1) Employees who need better connections between transit, parking, and work. 2) residents who need more options for short errands to local services. 3) Visitors looking for convenient access between hotels, attractions, and services. In most US cities bike sharing is popular among casual users as much as or more so than the hard core cyclists.
How are you paying for it?
The bike share system will be a private, nonprofit enterprise. We are seeking philanthropic funds and sponsorships to cover capital startup costs. Ongoing operations will be funded by user fees and advertising.
Is the City involved?
While largely privately funded, bike sharing in Kansas City will be a public/private partnership. The Mayor and many City Councilmembers are very supportive, and we are currently discussing several ways for the City to particpate. Streamlining the permitting process will be a huge help. We are also asking the City to prioritize painting bike lanes on streets in the Bike KC plan that connect bike share stations. More bike lanes will benefit all cyclists, not just bike share users. We firmly believe that the launch of bike sharing will transform the city for everyone.
When will it be available?
We hope to launch Bike Share KC by summer 2012.
What about theft and vandalism?
The current fourth generation bike share systems in US cities experience very little theft or vandalism. Accountability is built into the system. The every bike rental is tied to a credit card, so if you steal or break it, you buy it. Modern US bike share systems are completely different from previous free and loaner bike schemes.
Where will it be?
The first phase will debut in the Greater Downtown area, from the Missouri River south to Crown Center, and from the state line east to The Paseo. This are includes great neighborhoods like the River Market, Westside, Power & Light District, Crossroads Arts District, 18th and Vine, Quality Hill, etc. Bike share stations will be placed convienent to shops, offices, hotels, housing, transit, and other important destinations.
Future phases will expand south along the central corridor to include Midtown, Westport, the County Club Plaza, UMKC, and Rockhurst University.
What about the suburbs?
We are starting in the urban core because bike sharing is only succesful with a density of population, employment, and visitor attractions. A few US bike share systems have had success in inner suburban areas with moderate density and access to fixed rail transit. We anticpate future phases could potentially work in suburban areas contiguous to the urban core.
What about equity?
Modern bike sharing systems require a credit card, but BikeShareKC is committed to ensuring access for as many people as possible. We are currently researching options for alternative payment systems and seeking funding for subsidized memberships.
So far there are two examples in the US. Boston's Hubway bike share system received a grant from the city's health department to provide subsidized memberships for low income residents. Capital Bike Share in Washington, DC recently announced a partnership to provide low cost banking services in tandem with bike share membership. We are watching these cities closely to learn how best to make bike share equitable in Kansas City.
How about trails?
Our region has a good trail system that is improving every year. The experience in other US cities shows that bike sharing is usually more orientated towards on-street usage for short trips between urban destinations. We think Kansas City does have some opportunities with the developing urban trail systems along Brush Creek, Cleaver Boulevard, and the Riverfront Heritage Trail.
Can I work for you?
We aren't hiring yet, so please check back when it gets closer to June for opportunities.
How does it work with transit?
Bike sharing is a natural compliment to transit. Bicycling extends the reach of the transit system and will be a perfect solution to the "last mile" challenge for a local streetcar or commuter rail system. In Denver, 20% of light rail users are connecting to the bike share system. We are working with the KCATA to ensure bike share stations are convient to transit hubs and popular bus routes.
What about safety?
American bike sharing has an excellent safety record. Kansas City's system will include a comprehensive educational program to educate motorists and cyclists alike. Missouri does not have helmet requirement, but we strongly encourage people to choose helmets. Many bike share systems partner with local bike shops to make helmets available at reasonable cost.
Who are you?
BikeWalkKC is Kansas City's regional advocacy and education organization for better walking and bicycling. Our staff and members and decades of experience in advocacy, education, public policy, planning, and programming.
How can I help?
We have a whole page with ideas for participating and supporting bike share.
