COMING SOON: City Of Brotherly Bike Sharing?

BIKE SHARE PHILADELPHIA: Bike Share Philadelphia is sponsoring bike-sharing demonstrations: Thursday, August 26th at 36th & Walnut Streets, 10 am to 6 pm, in front of the Penn Bookstore in University City in cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania. Friday August 27th at Love Park (JFK Plaza) – 15th & JFK Blvd, 10 am to 6 pm, in cooperation with the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities. Saturday, August 28th at Penn’s Landing on the Walnut Plaza, 10 am to 6 pm, in cooperation with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. The bikes and solar powered kiosk station will be available to try out. It is the same bike-sharing equipment currently being used in the Denver, Colorado B-cycle system and in this summer’s Chicago, Illinois pilot program. According to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who recently rode the bike-sharing system in Denver, said its B-cycle system is, “a model for America.”By placing bicycles at stations throughout the urban area, people easily can use them to commute to work, to run errands, to socialize or just to enjoy a healthier life style. In Philadelphia, bicycles would be placed in secure stations throughout the city. To use these bikes, individuals would sign up online in advance, or at a station kiosk. For a nominal access fee, either on a daily, weekly or yearly basis the bikes are available for the first 30 minutes of use at no extra charge. There would be a small fee for each additional ½ hour. The bikes could be returned to any station in the city, making it true point-to-point transportation. With stations located no more than about three blocks from each other, bike sharing gives new meaning to convenience. MORE