Should SACOG own and operate a regional bike share system?

The answer is yes, according to the Bike Share Policy Steering Committee of elected officials and local agency executive management.  On February 1, 2016, the committee reviewed findings from SACOG’s bike share consultants, Toole Design, who recommended the development of a regionally owned and operated bike share system.

SACOG and Toole Design conducted over 20 interviews with stakeholders across the region. The stakeholders represented a diverse group that included elected officials, city staff, transit agency staff, developers, business associations, housing advocates, college and university staff, and bicycle advocates. These stakeholders asked for a regional bike share system that would balance the needs of individual cities and the region as a whole, with SACOG managing the program through a public-private partnership. Stakeholders expressed the desire to have the system reflect the transportation, economic, and livability goals of the region while remaining agile enough to respond to changes in system deployment and expansion.

Great! What are the next steps?

The committee recommendation for operations is a great step forward in implementing a world class bike share system here in the Sacramento region, but what we need now is action. The SACOG Board, various city councils and funding partners need to create a formal agreement that details how to develop, own, and operate a regional bike share system together.

Look for bike share governance information and action items to come to the SACOG Board, and the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Davis over the next six months. Stakeholders will be notified of board actions through these newsletters.

Can I help plan bike share station locations or help sponsor the system?

Yes and Yes!  We need your help to plan and sponsor the system.

SACOG plans to advertise for a bike share system operator and equipment vendor by releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) in late spring 2016 with a full system rollout by spring 2017.  That means that a more detailed plan for bike share station locations will most likely happen by the summer of 2016.

SACOG will also need to secure system sponsors to fully fund operating and maintenance costs.  SACOG plans to work closely with a bike share operator to extend various levels of sponsorship to each community hosting the regional bike share system.  Look for more information about system sponsorship later on during the summer of 2016.