by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP
Following in the footsteps of France, Spain, and Scandinavia, Washington D.C. this month launched a bike-sharing program it calls SmartBike DC. Made possible by Clear Channel Outdoor and the District Department of Transportation, 10 modular, self-service bike stations are located in the city’s central business district. After paying an annual fee of $39.99, subscribers receive a card that works like a MetroCard, and they can rent a bike for up to three hours at a time.
Since May is “Bike Month” in NYC, I have been looking at a number of proposals on the table to increase bike access in the city — from expanded cycling zones to better bridge access and increased bicycle parking. I have not come across many proposals for bike-share programs, however. Storefront for Art and Architecture hosted a temporary program last year (See “NYC Looks to Pop a Wheelie,” by Carolyn Sponza, AIA, LEED AP), which launched the New York Bike-Share Project website, but that website has not had much activity since. The only current proposal I could find is the free bike-share program planned for Governors Island, with bikes designed by the West 8/Rogers Marvel Architects/Diller, Scofidio + Renfro/Quennell Rothschild/SMWM team.
Even though many bike-share programs in other countries have failed due to vandalism and theft, I think bike sharing is a great way to ease congestion, both in subways and on the streets. It also encourages exercise and healthy lifestyles, and it can be affordable. With a reasonable annual fee, using D.C.’s example, the program becomes cheaper than taking the subway. Without having to pay for and maintain a bicycle, I can see such a program taking off in NYC. I hope D.C. will prove a successful model.
Please comment and let me know what you think about bringing bike-sharing to NYC.