CommuterPageBlog reader and new Alexandria City Councilman Justin Wilson points us to a story appearing in this morning's San Francisco Chronicle (S.F. Moving To Catch Up With European Bikesharing Programs, October 3, 2007; Rachel Gordon) that informs us the City would like to implement a bikesharing program similar to what about a dozen European cities have done recently. According to the article, San Francisco is considering contracting with Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. and giving them advertising rights on the City's bus shelters and having them provide bikesharing as part of that contract. Mayor Gavin Newsom says that "San Francisco residents want city hall to make good on the official goal of reducing auto congestion and air pollution, and biking is a good way to do that."
This is similar to what we've heard the District Department of Transportation is planning to do with it's contract with Clear Channel. Like in San Francisco however, the scope and schedule for actually implementing a program are unknown.
There's been a bunch of stories recently about the wonderful success of Paris' program where there are now 100,000 members having joined the service since its inception in July. Like carsharing, bikesharing could be an important component in providing options for people who want to live, work and play...no car required and therefore we too are trying to figure out a way to bring the program to Arlington. Learn more about bikesharing and some of these efforts from noted international bikesharing expert (and Arlington County Commuter Services Bicycle Promotions Manager) Paul DeMaio at BikeArlington's October 22 Presentation and Happy Hour Event. Paul toured many of the programs in Europe this past summer and has developed a great presentation.
Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.
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