Apparently, riding a bike is cool again. Following in the footsteps of Chicago, New York, and even Columbus, Ohio, the city of Louisville has announced plans to Louisville has announced launch a $1.6 million bike share program in and around its downtown.
The program, which will be developed using a federal highway grant, a city bond issue, and funding from the University of Louisville, will feature 20-40 stations at nearly major block or two in the city stocked with 10 or more top-drawer two-wheelers which can be rented for the day or year.
The spread of the stations will be from the river as far south as UL’s Belknap Campus, while stretching east into the Nulu neighborhood and west to about Ninth Street, according to an article in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
City officials say the city is “ripe for bike-sharing” with dozens of miles of new bike lanes and more two-way streets that are safer and more attractive for riders. The bikes, which are expected to cost between $3,000 and $5,000, are expected to rent for $8 per day or $80 per year but those fees aren’t firm. Bikes can be unlocked from a station using a credit card or with a pass card that can be purchased.
Officials are hoping the program will be self-sufficient and will look to sell sponsorship packages as well as advertising and naming rights. Once launched, Louisville will join about 60 cities across the country with active or planned bike-sharing programs.
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