City of South Bend announces study of bike share system

The City of South Bend is conducting a new study on how the city could implement a bike share system.

The Board of Public Works gave the study unanimous approval Tuesday.

The study will be conducted by Toole Design Group, who is one of the nation’s leading engineering and landscape architecture firms, specializing in multimodal transportation.

“This is an important step in determining the feasibility of bike share in our community. If a bike share system can encourage safe and accessible alternate transportation options for residents and visitors, we need to explore the opportunity,” said Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works.

A bike share system allows users access to a bicycle at any self-service station and return it any station located in the service area.

According to the board, the study will focus on strategies that allow riders with limited mobility or financial limitations to utilize the system.

The board says planning efforts are happening this summer and fall. This will allow the city to push for federal transportation funding through the Michiana Area Council of Governments.

If the plans are funded, the first bikes could be available by the end of 2017.

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