Plans to establish a European-style citywide bike-sharing program in Portland have been put on hold, as city officials encounter recurring logistical issues.
"On June 26, city officials canceled an eight-month contract-review process aimed at finding a company to provide the service and maintain a fleet of rental bicycles. The plan could be retooled for future proposals, but for now, it's not going anywhere."
"The city took company bids in mid-October to establish a fleet of about 500 bicycles that could be rented at one location, pedaled across town and turned in at another place. The idea was to give people in the city who make short trips during the day an alternative to driving."
"As the committee began its bid evaluation, it became apparent that the project could require more leg work than anticipated. The group met 'a lot of times' and, after pondering the pros and cons, eventually 'ended up at the same spot," on concerns about funding and logistical issues, said Barbara Gibson, the city's procurement supervisor who worked with the group on the bid."
"'They felt they needed to do some more preparation work,' Gibson said."
FULL STORY: Concerns deflate city’s bike rental proposal
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment
Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.
Significant Investments Needed to Protect LA County Residents From Climate Hazards
A new study estimates that LA County must invest billions of dollars before 2040 to protect residents from extreme heat, increasing precipitation, worsening wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-induced public health threats.
Federal Rule Raises Cost for Oil and Gas Extraction on Public Lands
An update to federal regulations raises minimum bonding to limit orphaned wells and ensure cleanup costs are covered — but it still may not be enough to mitigate the damages caused by oil and gas drilling.
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