A bikesharing program that will make 1,100 bikes available for short-term use in downtown Los Angeles is set to begin in 2016, under an $11 million contract awarded Thursday by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The bicycles will be available from 65 stations around downtown Los Angeles, including Union Station and other downtown rail stations, the Los Angeles Convention Center, Grand Central Market, Pershing Square, the Arts District and the University of Southern California area.
Bicycle Transit Systems Inc. won the contract to run the program.
“We are building new ways for Angelenos to get around,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who sits on the Metro board. “Riding a bike is another option people can use to commute to work or explore the region. Today marks the first step in Metro’s plan to bring bike share to cities across the county.”
Metro is also looking at expanding the bikesharing program to Pasadena in 2017, with the goal to make 4,000 bicycles available to be loaned out in 10 areas in the county.
—City News Service