May 17, 2008 3:56 pm US/Eastern
Philly Bike Share?
City Weighs Possible Bike-Share Plan
PHILADELPHIA (AP) ―
Philadelphia could end up with the nation's largest bicycle-sharing initiative.
Bicycle sharing is thriving in Europe, with a huge program running in Paris with 12,000 bikes. Other cities with similar programs include Oslo, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; and Barcelona, Spain. The first American bike-sharing program is starting in Washington, D.C., with 10 bicycle stations and 120 bikes.
Some say the Washington plan won't have enough bikes to make it worthwhile for users.
Philadelphia bike-sharing advocate Russell Meddin estimates that the city would need 250 to 300 stations and 4,000 to 5,000 bicycles in order for people to find it reliable.
Deputy mayor for transportation Rina Cutler says she likes the idea, but she hasn't seen a workable business plan yet.
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