Dockless system set to hit streets this week
A dockless bike-share program is ready to roll in Calgary starting this week.
The pilot project is one that doesn’t rely on physical stations where bikes have to be dropped off after riders are done with them. Instead, the system is based on designated zones where bikes can be placed and locked for the next rider.
The city was to issue the first of two operating permits for the pilot program on Monday.
It relies on technology similar to car-share programs, in that the bikes are GPS-enabled and can be rented using each company’s smartphone app. Bikes can be parked in an acceptable public space, so long as they are not impeding pedestrian traffic.
Each bike operator participating in the program will have a service area within Calgary, where bicycles will be available to the public. The system is about a year old. “Some of the bigger companies now, they ’re finding that this dockless system is working really, really well with very little nuisance,” Coun. Evan Wooley said in July, when he brought forward a motion at council proposing the two-year pilot.
“Not to say you won’t find one of these chucked in a river the odd time or whatever, but the companies themselves are managing these systems really well, and obviously the city will have a bunch of regulatory tools at our disposal to manage the operators.”
Two companies, Lime and U-bicycle, applied to operate in Phase 1 of the pilot. Both companies met the operating requirements outlined as part of the permit application, according to the city.
Lime plans to start operating this week, while U-bicycle is targeting a spring launch.
Lime will have a fleet of 375 electric pedal assist bicycles during the first phase of the pilot, and will be granted a permit to operate within Calgary’s streets and park space.
Its e-bikes will initially be placed along Stephen Avenue, Eau Claire, the river pathway system and 17th Avenue south, as well as in Mission, Bridgeland, Kensington and Inglewood.
The city says it expects those areas to have high levels of use. In the future, additional bikes will be placed where seen to be fit.
The pilot will be fully funded and operated by each bike-share company, according to the city. It said any costs incurred will be recovered by fees collected from the operators.
“Besides being implemented at no cost to the city, bike share will create jobs, promote mobility and enhance tourism,” Woolley said in a statement. “We’ve seen the success of car2go and other ‘disruptive’ technologies — bike share is another example of Calgary adopting bold new transportation methods. Our cycling infrastructure is in place and this pilot project will only complement it.”
The pilot will run until 2020. An application process for Phase 2 of the project will take place next spring.