a system like this on the streets of
New York City.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Crain’s Insider, a New York-based business news publication, says two companies remain in the running for a $200 million contract to run a bike-share program in New York City. According to Crain’s, B-cycle and Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share are competing for the lucrative contract.
Alta Bicycle Share is a spinoff of Alta Planning + Design, a company that helps cities around the world plan and implement biking and walking facilities. In September of last year, Alta Bicycle Share launched Capital Bikeshare in Washington DC. That system is one of the largest in the U.S. with over 100 kiosks offering members 1,100 bikes accessible through a key-card system.
New York City DOT is looking to launch what would be by far the largest bike-share system in the country with an estimated 10,000 bicycles spread over 600 stations.
Alta’s experience in New York City (if they win the contract), could offer important lessons for Portland (if we ever decide to pull the trigger). One of the stumbling blocks for Portland’s efforts has been a pledge by Mayor Sam Adams that it does not use public funds. Similarly, the NYC system is going to be privately financed through a system of sponsorships and user fees.
Representatives of Alta Bicycle Share declined to comment on this article.
On April 8th, former Director of the Washington DC Department of Transportation, Gabe Klein, and Alta Bicycle Share President Alison Cohen will present a lecture about bike-sharing at Portland State University. More details on that event here.
– Read more about Portland’s on-again, off-again efforts to launch a bike-sharing system in our archives.