Bike share will offer New Yorkers a new public transportation option for short, one-way trips. The system will fill gaps in the transit system with a network of durable bikes available at self-service stations located every few blocks. New Yorkers and visitors can pick up a bike at any station, ride to their destination and drop off the bike at the nearest available station. Bikes will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, smartphone apps will make use of the system’s wireless technology, allowing users to find out about bike and station availability in real-time.

Alta Bicycle Share estimates that more than 200 jobs will be created by locally sourcing maintenance and support for the system. Alta Bicycle Share will be responsible for all system operations, including installation, maintenance, repairs, cleaning and customer support. New York City’s bike share stations will be solar-powered; no roadwork will be required for installation.

“We could not be more excited to bring our successful bike share system to New York City,” said Alison Cohen, President of Alta Bicycle Share. “Bike share is a new form of public transportation that will help connect New Yorkers to their own neighborhoods, to other neighborhoods and to public transit. At the same time, it will make New York City a healthier, cleaner, greener and safer place. Alta Bicycle Share is elated to help make this happen.”

Alta Bicycle Share anticipates that sponsorship will be a key component of the system financing and this announcement also kicks off the process of selecting a system sponsor. Additional information for interested potential sponsors is available at: www.nycbikesharesponsorship.com.

Membership in New York’s bike share system will be affordable, with an annual membership costing less than a monthly unlimited-ride MetroCard. Day and weekly memberships will also be available. Membership entitles the user to an unlimited number of free 30-45 minute trips. For longer trips, users will be charged a small, graduated usage fee. Exact rates will be determined after a contract is finalized.

“With bike share, we’re reinventing the wheel by providing an affordable transportation option that’s there when you want it,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “Whether it’s covering the last quarter mile from the subway or reaching that dead zone between stations, bike share offers a great, new way to get around in a New York minute and will bring needed jobs and revenue to the city.”