Seattle has the second highest rate of bicycle commuting among large American cities, but only 40 percent of city residents has access to a working bicycle. Seattle has higher rates of transit use than Portland, and cycling in our densest neighborhoods is already very popular.
In other words, Seattle is primed for bike share.
After years of discussion and studies, a coalition of government and private groups have formed Puget Sound Bike Share, a new non-profit organization that will operate the regional bike share system. Bikes could possibly roll out as soon as summer or fall of 2013.
“The vendor will essentially be working for the Bike Share Board on behalf of the public,” said Board President Ref Lindmark.
But first, they need to find a leader. We’ll have more on Puget Sound Bike Share on Monday. In the meantime, here’s the Executive Director job description (applications must be in by the end of August):
Comments
7 responses to “Puget Sound Bike Share officially forms, searches for Executive Director”
Cities with mandatory helmet laws FAIL in bike share. Period.
Seattle will not have a successful bike share program until they either abolish the mandated helmet law or make it a secondary fineable offense. Requiring a helmet will discourage people from participating in a bike share.
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Vancouver BC, with a mandatory all-ages helmet law, is about to start a bikeshare program. The program hasn’t started yet, so I’d say it’s too soon to say it has failed. I believe they plan to provide rental helmets, which will be cleaned and serviced regularly. Portland, without a mandatory helmet law, is also about to start a bikeshare program. Puget Sound Bike Share will have the experience of these two nearby cities to study and learn from as they design for Seattle.
When Vancouver FAILS and Portland doesn’t, will THAT bring the message home, or will we simply dump taxpayer money down the toilet like the Canadians? At least Mexico City repealed their failed helmet law. Has any city with mandatory helmet laws made a paying proposition out of a bike share program? Thought not…
typing in all-caps is a good way to bring the message home :)
[…] we reported last week, Puget Sound Bike Share has officially formed and is currently searching for an executive director. […]