bike share

With debts in excess of $30 million owed to the city of Montreal, and unhappy customers in New York City and Chicago refusing to pay for outstanding bills, the Bixi bike-share company has been forced to file for bankruptcy protection.

January 21, 2014 - The Montreal Gazette

The B-Cycle bike share program in Kansas City is using a crowdfunding platform to generate funds for capital investments after an underwhelming attempt to generate funds for operations.

January 20, 2014 - Next American City

Launched last summer, the regional bike share program is looking to expand this spring to one thousand bikes in one hundred kiosks, according to Air District officials who administer the five-city, three-county pilot program and view it as a success.

January 3, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Bike share is in some ways the opposite of public transit, from a demographic perspective. While transit is often disproportionately patronized by low income riders, bike share is overwhelmingly avoided by that same group. NPR looks for the reasons.

December 13, 2013 - NPR

Amid declining ridership, Barclays Bank has announced its intention to cancel its sponsorship of London's bike-share system after only paying half its promised investment. The announcement is just the latest challenge for the stumbling system.

December 12, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

After three years of operation, Melbourne's publicly subsidized bike share system is for sale. Though ridership has increased each year since opening, private investment is seen as crucial for expansion.

December 7, 2013 - The Age

Thriving bike share systems in DC and NYC are models for success. But other cities have struggled to create sustainable systems (DC's first effort failed, in fact). A new report offers a comprehensive guide to establishing bike share in your town.

December 6, 2013 - Treehugger

Apparently Toronto's dysfunctional mayor hasn't stopped the rest of the city's government from functioning. With the city's bike share program facing insolvency, the city council voted to provide the Bixi-operated system with an infusion of cash.

November 16, 2013 - Cyclelicious

What's the best way to get people to bike? "[M]ake clear the costs of not biking, in minutes saved or dollars not spent," writes Emily Badger. A new tool developed by Zach Rausnitz uses Google Maps data to compare travel times of alternative modes.

November 9, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

We've posted stories here about many bike share programs opening up, or being proposed, throughout the U.S. (as well as internationally). Sadly, not all programs succeed or continue, particularly when they are pilots, as is the case in Hoboken, N.J..

November 3, 2013 - NJ.com

As we've noted here, some of the most popular bike share systems have been victims of their own success, with high use docking stations often full or empty - depending on the time of day. Henry Grabar examines efforts to automate the rebalancing act.

October 26, 2013 - Salon

More bike corrals, bike sharing, and parklets are on the way to the Golden State's capital thanks to the city council's unanimous vote on Oct. 22 with support from cyclists, pedestrians, businesses, and the regional air district.

October 25, 2013 - The Sacramento Bee

With expected launch dates repeatedly missed, and no progress in sight, L.A.'s plan to partner with upstart Bike Nation on developing a citywide bike share system has been a failure. Mayor Garcetti is starting over with a regional approach.

October 21, 2013 - LA.Streetsblog

While many big city bike-share systems hit potholes, one Czech city has experienced success with an entirely different – and more DIY – ‘micro-scheme’ approach fostered by a network of cafés.

October 3, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

The Los Angeles Times' editorial page declares itself "pro-bike" as it launches "Roadshare", an effort to engage the city's cyclists, drivers, pedestrians, taxpayers and others in a discussion over L.A.'s transportation future.

October 1, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Depending on what media you're reading, Bay Area Bike Share is either off to a "fast start" or an "underwhelming start". We give both reviews - you judge. In addition, Sacramento looks toward BABS as a model, and expansion within SF will be proposed.

September 28, 2013 - Streetsblog San Francisco

With 12,000 docking stations, Paris' expansive Velib system is the envy of cities across the world. But last year it lost 9,000 bikes to theft or vandalism. Its admirable ambition is threatening the functionality of the entire system.

September 27, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Montreal's Bixi is one of the most replicated bike-sharing systems in the world, but the publicly backed company has struggled with financial troubles since debuting in 2008. Outstanding payments due to Bixi are the latest threat to the company.

September 26, 2013 - CBC News

While the successes, and travails, of bike share systems in cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago get most of the attention, several smaller cities across the U.S. have managed to establish such systems without much fanfare.

September 24, 2013 - Momentum Magazine

In order to differentiate themselves from other universities, some are offering perks to students, such as bike share programs or free bikes in exchange for not driving.

September 5, 2013 - The New York Times