Lawrence Bike Share

Feasibility Study

Stakeholder Meeting

June 2016

1. Project background

2. Bike share overview

3. How can you help?

Agenda

Project Background

• University of Kansas - KU

– Yellow bikes(pre 2003)

– Student Senate bike rental/share (2012)

– Rec Services begins bike rental (2013)

• Countywide Bikeway Plan (2014)

– Recommends bike share feasibility study

• MPO applies for and receives Planning Grant Funding (2015)

Toole Design Group

• Bicycle and pedestrian planning, engineering and design

• Bike share:

• Feasibility studies

• Business plans

• RFP development

• System planning and permitting

• We are not a vendor – we do not sell equipment or operating services

Where we’re at…

Project kick-off

April 2016

Existing conditions review

June 2016

Public and stakeholder outreach

May / June 2016

Goal setting

Aug 2016

System planning

Governance / ownership analysis

Business pro-forma

Final Report

Dec 2016

Project Timeline

How to check out a bike How Does Bike Share

Work?

• Bicycles docked at stations or hubs

• Automated check-out

• Membership fee, with free short rides

What is bike share? Who Uses Bike Share?

• Residents

• Commuters

• Employees

• Visitors (short-stay)

• Tourists (long-stay)

• Students

• Someone else pays

Current systems Bike Share Globally

Current systems

Approx. 40 systems in operation and many more in planning…

Bike Share in the United States

Bike Share in the Region

Kansas City

• 27 stations / 500 bikes

• Smart dock technology

• Launched in 2012

• Non-profit owner

• Funded by the City of Kansas City, MO and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Topeka

• 200 bikes; 200 new public racks

• Smart bike technology

• $20 annual memberships for Washburn students

• Launched in 2015

• Operated by Topeka Metro Transit

Bike Share in the Region

kansascity.bcycle.com topekametrobikes.org

Manhattan

• 9 stations / apx. 54 bikes

• Free bikes- honor system

• Launched in 2015

• Non-profit, supported by volunteers, donors, and sponsors

Green Apple Bikes- Facebook

Smart-bike technology Docking Technology

Smart Bikes Smart Docks

Bike Technology

Custom bike fleet Graduate Hotel, Tempe, AZ

Bike library Fort Collins, CO

Other Technologies

Free bike share Green Apple Bikes, Manhattan, KS

Michael Henry Photography

System Costs

Smart Dock

20 stations, 200 bikes

BCycle, Motivate Social Bicycles, Next Bike BCycle, Motivate, Beweegen

How far does $1 million go?

28 stations, 350 bikes 45 stations, 400 bikes/year

Smart Bike Operations

On-Street, Seattle, WA Approval from City Street Department

Station Placement

Sidewalk, Hamilton, ON Approval from City Street Department

Off-Street, Philadelphia, PA Approval from Parks Department and Museum Board

Safety

• Very low crash rates (lower than private bicycling)

• Bicycle design encourages slow speed and good riding behavior

• Safety messaging and programs

• Free or discounted helmets for members

Safety

Potential Benefits

• Vibrant downtown

• Universities

• Supportive policy

• Increasing bike infrastructure

• Active local partners

• Increasing public health

Opportunities

Potential Challenges

• Several significant hills

• Still growing bikeway network

• User revenues are unlikely to cover full operating cost (consider other funding sources, e.g., sponsorship)

• Automobile use is high and parking cost is low

• Finding a “champion” to advocate for a system and establishing an entity to oversee operations

Challenges

Opportunities and challenges

• What do you think are the biggest opportunities for a bike share system in Lawrence?

• What are the biggest challenges a program would face in Lawrence?

Discussion

Round-table discussion

• What kind of governance structure could work in Lawrence?

• How might bike share fit into your organization or be used by your staff/members?

• How would you see your organization being involved?

Discussion

Funding Sources

PUBLIC

• Federal • State • Local

OTHER

GRANTS

• Health organizations • Active living

organizations • Local foundations • Local businesses

• Naming rights • Advertising • Station or bike

sponsorship • Digital assets

ADVERTISING

AND

SPONSORSHIP

USER

REVENUES

• Membership sales • Student fees • Fares • Overage fees

Capital Operations

Funding Options

Sponsor outreach

• Who are possible candidates for sponsorship?

• Who else should we be talking to?

Discussion

Spread the word

Wikimap: 72 comments Survey: 250 responses

Online Outreach

Potential Challenges Online Outreach

If bike share were available in Lawrence, would you use it?

Potential Challenges Online Outreach

How often would you use bike share?

Potential Challenges Online Outreach

Wikimap

Ranking program outcomes What are the highest priority outcomes for a bike share system in Lawrence?

Outcome Description Ranking (1 high; 8 low)

Economic Development

Bike share could help attract residents, businesses, and students; and encourage local spending

Mobility Bike share could increase transportation options to transit, local neighborhoods, and key destinations

Culture Bike share could help attract new riders and encourage bicycling as safe and fun

Tourism Bike share could serve visitors and tourists by linking them to major destinations

Recreation Bike share could increase opportunities for active recreation by connecting safe and enjoyable places to ride

Equity Bike share could decrease barriers to affordable and convenient transportation for low income and minority populations

Student Mobility

Bike share could focus on university campuses to provide transportation options for students

Health Bike share could focus on public health and be marketed as a healthy form of recreation and transportation

Discussion

Sponsor outreach

Questions?