Downtown Detroit’s plans for bike sharing took a step as the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) has selected a vendor to provide 420 bikes and 42 stations around the greater downtown Detroit area for a rental bike share program.
Shift Transit was selected through a competitive bid process by a team of representatives from the City of Detroit and the DDP.
In a statement the reason for the selection of Shift was:
In addition to its award-winning bicycle design, competitive price and value, and ability to integrate with multiple modes of transit, Shift Transit’s team was chosen for its years of experience launching and managing some of the largest and most successful bike share programs in North America. Shift Transit will provide Detroit with the equipment and technology from world class leader PBSC Urban Solutions’ family of products.
The contract with Shift Transit was approved by the Detroit City Council on Friday, July 22.
Shift Transit is partnered with Quebec-based PBSC Urban Solutions. Below is a video talking about their three types of bikes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye1b02WFdPw
Specific station locations for Detroit Bike Share, which will open in spring of 2017, have not been determined.
This fall we’re told there will be opportunities for residents, business owners, property owners, visitors, and other stakeholders to provide input on station locations, as well as membership and cost options. We’ll be sure to share those dates as soon as they’re available.
Stations are planned to be located in proximity to other transit such as DDOT and SMART bus stops, the Detroit People Mover and the QLine to increase the reach of these systems and enable people to travel farther using public transit.
“We are one step closer in providing another option for Detroiters and visitors to make their way around the city,” said Dan Dirks, Director of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). “Bike share will help expand the reach of not only DDOT’s services, but other transit modes as well.”
Detroit’s new bike share program is sponsored and receiving support from corporate, government and foundation partners, including the main corporate sponsor of Henry Ford Health System/Health Alliance Plan.
Detroit’s bike share system also is receiving support from the Federal Transit Administration, Michigan Department of Transportation, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Hudson Webber Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.