The city of Seattle is considering a significant public investment in its bikeshare system, treading where some cities have feared to tread.
"The City of Seattle 2016 Proposed Budget [pdf] allocates significant funding to support the expansion of the city's bike share stations and fleet, serving a much greater geographic area," reports Sarah Oberklaid. If the City Council approves the $5.1 billion proposed budget, "$5 million [would be] dedicated to fund the expansion of Pronto bike share with the potential to leverage an additional $10 million through federal grants."
The federal grants mentioned there include a "a potential $10 million Federal Transit Authority (FTA) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant, for which the City recently submitted an application [pdf]." Oberklaid notes that the city's TIGER grant application lays out the argument in favor of expanding the city's bikeshare system, which can be summarized as more service, in a larger diversity of geographic and demographic areas, and increased use of the system.
Also noteworthy is the city's investment in the system, where some city's around the country have stopped short of investing money in bikeshare. Josh Feit reported earlier (as the second item in the article) that the city is negotiating to takeover management of the system from Motivate, as part of the $5 million investment.
FULL STORY: PROPOSED FUNDING TO RADICALLY EXPAND SEATTLE’S BIKE SHARE SYSTEM
$1.4 Million Needed to Bailout Seattle's Pronto! Bikeshare
After missing out on the latest round of TIGER grants and being stuck in acquisition limbo with the city of Seattle, the bikeshare system of Pronto is running out of money and time.
Seattle Bikeshare Proposal Would Expand Service from 5 to 42 Square Miles
Seattle is showing all indications of a city ready to take its bikeshare system to the next level.
Seattle Bikeshare: From Failure to Success in Less Than Six Months
News of the demise of the Pronto! bikeshare system in Seattle broke in February, but by the end of the year, the city is expected to have the U.S.'s largest bikeshare network.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)