Hamilton poised to extend SoBi bike-share program into 2022. Are e-scooters next?
Hamilton is poised to keep its beleaguered bike-share program on the road for at least two more years.
But the sustainability of the popular cycling network may depend on the outcome of a December debate over whether to allow electric scooters in the city.
The SoBi bike-share program nearly died in June after the former Uber-owned operator bailed on its contract. Council refused to bail out the network - but corporate donors and residents rallied to save the program temporarily.
On Monday, the public works committee endorsed a plan to extend the contract of non-profit operator Hamilton Bike Share Inc. and keep the blue rental bikes rolling through 2022 - without a tax subsidy. Council still has to ratify the decision next week.
Instead, if council votes to legalize e-scooters in Hamilton next month, permit fees from private companies like Lime or Bird could help supplement" the bike share budget, said city sustainable mobility manager Peter Topalovic.
Downtown Coun. Jason Farr congratulated the bike-share non-profit for maintaining service during COVID and without any cost to the taxpayers."
But councillors also expressed concern about the looming debate over whether to legalize e-scooters, a change some disability advocates have urged council to reject.
Coun. Chad Collins noted bylaw has tried to crack down on electric bikes and sit-down scooters that spur complaints on the popular waterfront trail. We need to be cognizant of those issues," he said.
In a later interview, Topalovic stressed the bike-share contract does not hinge on e-scooter revenue. They (bike-share operators) have committed to going ahead with or without e-scooters."
A letter to council from bike-share executive director Chelsea Cox did not include financial details, but promised the non-profit has developed a diverse mix of income streams" like grants, user fees and advertising to cover operations.
The bike-share network raised user fees in June - but fewer users are paying them.
Numbers were not available Monday, but Topalovic said bike-share ridership is generally down" across the industry thanks to fewer pandemic commuters. He expected to bring pandemic ridership details to council next year.
Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com