CDTA awarded $2M for development of bike-share program

ALBANY, N.Y. >> The Capital District Transportation Authority will receive $2 million in state money to help fund a new bike share program currently being developed.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that the CDTA program was among 81 transportation projects across the state to share in $112.2 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration being administered by the state Department of Transportation. The winning projects were selected through a competitive process and will increase options for non-vehicular transportation and reduce vehicle emissions or traffic congestion, according to a news release from the governor’s office. “This funding is critical to enhancing our infrastructure and paving the way for both pedestrian and bicycle travel,” Cuomo said in the release. “By improving roadway safety and increasing access to healthy transportation alternatives, we are providing both residents and visitors a chance to experience the state’s natural beauty like never before, while supporting a cleaner, greener New York for generations to come.”

CDTA launched CDPHP Cycle! earlier this month in partnership with health insurer CDPHP. The program will provide 160 bikes distributed among about 20 stations in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga Springs, offering a healthy and affordable mode of transportation when it hits the streets this summer.

Including additional public and private funding, Cuomo said the selected projects will leverage nearly $233 million in construction and operational enhancements that will improve air quality, promote walking and biking, expand public transportation access and boost tourism across the state.