Vancouver’s transportation scene is rapidly changing with Translink extensions, scooter services, the looming Uber possibility, and now a public bike sharing program!
Beginning this summer, 1,000 bicycles and 100 stations will pop up in Vancouver, followed by an additional 500 bikes and 50 stations by the end of 2016.
“Vancouver’s cycling numbers are skyrocketing and we’ve been hearing from many residents wanting a bike share network here,” says Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Public bike share will extend the reach of transit and walking trips and will be a great way for people to move around Vancouver, while supporting our Healthy City and Greenest City goals.”
Service areas will include the downtown Peninsula, extending to Arbutus Street, 16th Avenue, and Main Street. Each bike will also come with an helmet at no extra cost.
CycleHop will privately operate the bike share system with equipment provided by Smoove SAS. The “Smart Bike” technology allows each bike to be unlocked and activated through an interface on the bike or a payment kiosk.
Vancouver’s bike sharing program is just one of the many programs the city has introduced in an effort to become the greenest city in the world by 2020. The program will cost taxpayers $5 million over 5 years.
