From Zero to Two: Houston’s Bike Share Saga Continues

Earlier this month, Houston Bike Share, the nonprofit running Houston’s BCycle bike share system, announced that it would have to shut down operations within the next two months due to budget shortages.

Since then, the region’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has floated plans to create its own bike share system more focused on residential neighborhoods and commuters than recreational trips.

Now, Mayor Sylvester Turner is proposing giving BCycle $500,000 to keep its system afloat, a proposal that the city will vote on this Wednesday, reports Jay R. Jordan in Axios. “The day after that vote, Metro board members will vote on approving a contract with PBSC Urban Solutions, which operates bike share programs across the globe — including in New York City, Boston and Pittsburgh.” 

The new, second system would focus on placing bike share stations at 20 sites near transit within the next six months. According to BikeHouston executive director Joe Cutrufo, “with only 20 stations, [Metro will] have to be really strategic on how they're sited if the goal is to expand the footprint of the transit system.”

Jordan notes that “With Turner's time as mayor coming to an end, the future of the city's support for BCycle beyond the proposed $500,000 will be up to the next mayor and City Council after the November election.”