City Of Boston May Get Bike Share Program

Written by Boston Biker on Jul 11

bike share could boston be next

Paris has one, DC is getting one, could Boston be next! Lets hope so. This was just sent to me from City Councilor John Connolly.

I am writing to let you know that I filed legislation yesterday to explore bringing a shared-bike program to Boston. Attached please find a copy of the hearing order. I want to recognize that Mayor Menino and his administration have already begun the process for launching such a program, and I look forward to hearing from City leaders on their efforts to bring a shared-bike program to fruition.

I am hoping that a hearing will present the opportunity for the public and any experts to discuss the best model for such a program, the necessary infrastructure, and the best ways to ensure a successful shared-bike program in Boston. I will keep you updated on the scheduling of the hearing. As Chair of the Council’s Environment & Health Committee, I am making every effort to promote a greener city that includes more sustainable transportation options like a shared-bike program.

I would welcome your feedback on this or any issue.

Thanks,
John

John R. Connolly
City Councillor At-Large
Boston City Council
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
phone: (617) 635-3115
fax: (617) 635-4203

You can read the proposed legislation here. (pdf)

I am not sure if Boston is ready yet for this kind of program (we lack infrastructure, driver education, biker education, common decency towards our fellow humans, etc…). And to make this successful it has to be rolled out with thousands of bikes all over town. Something I am not sure this plan proposes. But perhaps they can bootstrap it to success. A program like this would be a welcome addition to transportation options for the city (especially for tourists), lets hope they can do it, and do it well.


submit City Of Boston May Get Bike Share Program to reddit.com Add to Reddit.


Tags: , ,
Posted in advocacy, news | 3 Comments »


3 Responses to “City Of Boston May Get Bike Share Program”

  1. By shawnna on Jul 11, 2008 | Reply

    I’m not sure I agree with you’re opinion that we’re not ready. Sure, Boston drivers are horrible and our streets aren’t engineered to easily include bike traffic. However, I think the arrival of a bike share and thus hundreds more people on bikes in the hub on a daily basis will force driver and biker education, even if it’s just through experience.

    Also, we’re so lucky to have such a strong organization like MassBike in our state. This will probably do wonders for their membership and in making more money off their bike skills classes, thus making it easier for them to educate more and more people.

  2. By Boston Biker on Jul 11, 2008 | Reply

    Hi Shawnna

    Yea I agree, Boston “could” do a bike share program, I guess my comments should be taken as cautious optimism. I really want them to do it well the first time, so if that means they have to wait a year till we get some bike lanes, some better education, and a public ad campaign, then wait a year.

    If it means they roll out 20 bikes that only cover the area around the common…well I am not as excited about that.

    I am with you in hoping that this works, and works well.

  3. By Adam Myerson on Jul 13, 2008 | Reply

    I’m racing in Lousiville, KY, this weekend, and they have a bike share program here downtown.

    If Louisville can do it…

Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.