Big News for Big Apple’s Bike Share and Seattle Rolls Out

By the end of 2017, New York City, NY, will be home to 700 stations and 12,000 shared bikes as the bike share system expands due to major changes announced in late October 2014.

Management of the system is being taken over by “a newly-formed investment venture that includes the CEOs of Equinox, a fitness and high performance lifestyle leader, and Related Companies, one of the nation’s most prominent real estate firms, as well as Jonathan Schulhof, a private investor who led the transaction.” This new company, called Bikeshare Holdings LLC, has also acquired Alta Bike Share who manage bike share systems throughout the US, Canada, and abroad.

In addition to new bikes and stations, these changes will also mean updates to the system’s sometimes problematic software.

Read more at CityLab

Also in October, Seattle, WA, welcomed Pronto Cycle Share. The first of its kind bike share system in the Pacific Northwest, the system launched with 500 bikes and 50 stations.

“This is an important day for the city of Seattle as we introduce new, progressive transportation options to residents and visitors alike,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “I am proud that Seattle has reached this milestone and look forward to expanding the program to additional Seattle neighborhoods next year.”

Pronto Cycle Share is also the first North American bike share system to launch in an area with an all-ages mandatory helmet law. A distribution system of bins allows riders to pick up and drop off helmets at stations and annual members are provided vouchers for free helmets at retail partners.

Read more at Seattle Bike Blog