US Gets Another Bike Sharing Program: Denver Launches Pilot Run

US bike sharing program denver photo
Photo via Coyne PR

Perhaps inspired by the bike sharing program in Washington DC that was implemented last year, or the general success of the temporary program that helped convention goers get around carbon-free at the DNC. Either way, Denver is moving to launch a citywide bike sharing program this summer. For now, Mayor John Hickenlooper has started off with a "pilot" run for city employees, which went into effect earlier last week.

So how will Denver's bike-sharing program work?

Bike-Sharing in the Mile High City
Much like its predecessors'. After viewing an online presentation, and signing a user agreement, a Denverite (Is that right? Denveronian? Denverer?) will be able to get a wireless access card and take bikes from stations around the city. Bikes must be returned to the same location before 10 a.m. the following day. The effort is focused on the downtown area, and by summer, 500 bikes will be available to the public. The city hopes to double that number by next spring.

As part of the initiative, some 75 to 100 additional racks are being installed around the downtown. The project is being funded by a $1 million donation from the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee and $50,000 worth of funds approved from the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District.

Let's hope the program picks up steam and support from its citizens, and makes another good example—more US cities could benefit from learning to share.

More on Bike Sharing Programs:
Short Film on Vélib, World's Biggest Bike-Sharing Program in Paris
Portland's Bike Share Program Put on Hold
Montreal Bike Share Program "Bixi" Gets a Name and an Award ...