Denver Bike-Share: Progressive Urbanism or Elitist Folly?

As Denver B-Cycle, the country's first large-scale municipal bike-sharing program, seeks to expand with 27 new stations, one city councilman is objecting to the plans with concerns that the system is skirting poor and minority neighborhoods.

1 minute read

October 2, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Although the expansion plans that were set to go before the Denver City Council this week are thought to have widespread support, as Jeremy P. Meyer reports, "Councilman Paul Lopez, who represents a mostly Latino district in southwest Denver, has been the lone vote against the expansion, saying the 2-year-old bike-sharing program should be for everyone."

"This shouldn't be just for people who can afford it," Lopez said.
"It's truly sad that just one (of the stations) is in west Denver.
That truly says something."

"Program officials said they must
put stations where they can get the most ridership," notes Meyer, "and in some cases
cultural barriers prevent some people from hopping onto the B-Cycle's
red-framed bikes with the big white baskets."

"Lopez said the stations are needed in
areas that are the least healthy in the city. His district has a high
rate of obesity and diabetes, and he said residents should be given
every type of encouragement to exercise."

"If it is truly about
behavioral change, make it available where it is really needed or where
it will have impact," he said. "Is this truly, truly about the issues
and behavioral change or is this just for looks?"

Sunday, September 30, 2012 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

3 hours ago - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

5 hours ago - Governing