Opposition to a bikeshare proposal in Raleigh, North Carolina, centers on whether enough people will use the system to justify its cost.
"An ongoing debate over the merits of a proposed taxpayer-subsidized bike rental program in Raleigh has gotten a little more heated," reports Paul A. Specht.
First, a little background: "The Raleigh City Council is considering a proposed 'BikeShare' program that would place 300 bikes at 30 stations around Raleigh, mostly downtown and at local universities. Council members, who discussed the proposal during their Feb. 23 meeting, are split on the matter."
A controversy has arisen regarding the example provided by Charlotte's bikeshare system. Councilmember Kay Chowder, who opposes the Raligh bikeshare proposal, "said Charlotte’s program generated less user-fee revenue than expected and that higher-than-expected sponsorship costs prompted sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to pull out," according to Specht.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina emailed The News & Observer to refute that claim, citing its recent renewal of its sponsorship of the Charlotte system through 2017.
It's important to note that the Raleigh City Council is considering whether or not to approve a federal grant that has already been approved, according to an editorial by Danny Kadis, which makes the case for Raleigh to approve the bikeshare system.
FULL STORY: BCBS refutes Raleigh councilor’s BikeShare claim

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

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

Texas, California Rail Projects Seek Out Private Funding
In the wake of Trump’s cuts to high-speed rail projects, rail authorities are looking to private-public partnerships to supplement their budgets.

Addressing Rural Homelessness in Kentucky
A Kentucky Lantern series focuses on the challenges unhoused Kentuckians face and efforts to provide support and assistance.

Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing
The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions