Nearly $2.5M Bike Share Program Expected To Be Approved In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--After six years and many attempts, it looks as if Baltimore will finally get its bike share program up and riding.

Marcus Washington has more.

Bicycle riding in Baltimore is becoming a big thing. So it's no surprise that the city has been working to get a bike share program up and running for six years, but with no results.

"It's actually a good thing, because what's happened in the intervening time is the market has matured, there are some well recognized bike share operators around the country now and I think we got some very good bids," said Jon Laia, mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission.

The city is projected to accept the $2.36 million contract with Bewegen Technologies out of Canada.

The program will allow people to rent a bike in one part of the city and return it at any of the proposed 25 to 50 bike share stations across Baltimore.

Many people say the bike sharing program is not just a good thing for people going from one location to another, it's also good for the existing cycling community.

"When motorist get more use to seeing more cyclist on the roads, they're going to start giving us more respect and the respect we deserve," said Joseph Traill with Joe's Bike Shop. "It will makes the roads safer for everybody."

Here is a look at some of the first planned 15 sites in Baltimore City that would get the bike share program. These sites were made available in the city's bids request. This is the first time we're seeing this list since the last attempt in 2014.

"If you look at all of the most livable cities in America, they're always the most bicycle friendly," said Traill.

Bewegen Technologies is one of six companies that submitted a bid get the Baltimore bike share program contract.