Raleigh could fund bike-sharing program this year

The city of Raleigh may put more money toward a proposed bike-sharing program in the next few months, following the lead of Charlotte and cities across the world.

Raleigh staff have been working on a plan to create stations where people could rent bicycles for trips around the city’s core.

City leaders already have paid $86,500 to study the feasibility of the idea, and now must decide whether to pay for further development as part of the new budget they’re drafting.

The council was supposed to meet and discuss the item on Tuesday, but bad weather caused a postponement. It’s unclear when they’ll pick it back up, but an affirmative vote would provide “limited funding” so the city could continue to make plans and look for private backers.

It would cost about $1.5 million to install 30 bike sharing stations and 300 bikes across Raleigh, according to last year’s feasibility study, and monthly operating costs would range from $25,500 to $61,200.

The city could also go with a smaller or bigger project. The program likely would charge for memberships and use.

So far, it seems as though the project has a decent chance of approval. The feasibility study, released last year, found the city had high enough residential density around downtown, enough tourists and enough public interest to support a program.

Councilman Russ Stephenson last year said it would be a way to encourage and promote healthy living. It’s unclear when the item will return for discussion.

This story was originally published February 19, 2015 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Raleigh could fund bike-sharing program this year."