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Just what Kelowna’s bikeshare pilot program will look like is anybody’s guess.
The program, which will be unveiled in the spring, will make bikes available at various points through the city for short-term rental.
Dropbike Inc. will provide the service once an agreement is signed with the city. Council approved terms of that agreement Monday.
Between 500 and 1,500 bikes will be available at several locations, or havens, throughout the downtown area.
Bikes can be dropped off anywhere in the city, but incentives are expected to offered for people who return the bikes to one of the havens.
Council voiced some concerns the haven locations are too centralized.
Coun. Charlie Hodge asked why havens are not located in neighbourhoods outside the downtown area. Why not along Gordon, or in Rutland?
“We had to start somewhere, and this is just the initial first shot at it,” said property management manager Mike Olson
“People’s behaviour will drive exactly what it will look like at the end of the pilot. For specific locations on Gordon, it will be driven by where people drop their bikes off.”
Olson said the bikes will be collected by the company from around town and relocate their to the havens on a daily basis.
He added business owners or private residents can contact the city it they wish to have a haven located on their property.
The pilot program will run until the fall of next year.
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