The bikesharing thread

[OhioGuy]

Bicycle-sharing vendor selected by Chicago

The Emanuel administration has selected an Oregon-based company with operations in the U.S. and overseas to operate Chicago's first large-scale bicycle-sharing rental program starting this summer.

Alta Bicycle Share, Inc., of Portland and its equipment manufacturer, Public Bike System Co., were chosen over two competing bids to make 3,000 bicycles available at 300 solar-powered self-service pick-up and drop-off locations this summer. The program will be expanded to a total of 5,000 bikes and 500 docking stations by 2014, city officials have said.

The bike-sharing program would operate like car-sharing programs, officials have said. Program participants would pay an annual membership fee and pay no additional costs to check out bicycles for the first half-hour, officials said. Visitors to the city and other one-time users could buy daily or weekly memberships.

The bikes will feature multiple speeds, chain guards, fenders on both wheels, a cushioned seat and a basket, officials said. The docking stations will be located in high-density areas, including near CTA rail stations, officials said.

Alta Bicycle Share and Public Bike System Co. operate bike-share systems in London, Melbourne, Boston, Minneapolis, Washington, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. The company is also beginning service this year in New York and Chattanooga, Tenn., officials said.