NABSA calls for support for bike share in infrastructure bills
The North American Bike Share Association (NABSA) has released federal priorities for the FAST Act re-authorisation and a potential infrastructure package.
The Act’s priorities include funding to advance bike share and shared micromobility through congestion mitigation and air quality improvement, transportation alternatives and highway safety improvement programmes.
The improvement programmes will aim to increase available funds for direct investment in bike share and shared micromobility systems by allowing for the planning and deployment of systems in CMAQ grants, as well as funding safe and reliable infrastructure. The programmes will also prioritise the use of HSIP funds to support the safety of vulnerable road users.
Samantha Herr, NABSA’s Exectutive Director, said: “Bike share and shared micromobility is a growing, thriving industry, and should be considered a viable consumer choice for everyday travel options in planning a 21st century transportation system. We look forward to working with Congress on funding solution that support safe, reliable and sustainable infrastructure.”
Bike share and micromobility is growing organically throughout the US, with Chicago’s Divvy system surpassing over 15 million rides after its fifth anniversary, seeing a 169% increase over its first year. In Philadelphia, 36% of rides on the Indego system occur during rush hour, meaning more and more people in the city are choosing to commute by bike.
The University of Minnesota found that Nice Ride riders spent an estimated extra $150,000 at restaurants and other businesses located near Nice Ride stations. Meanwhile, Capital bike share members in Washington, DC, reported saving at least $800 yearly on personal travel costs due to using the bike share service.
NABSA connects players in bike share and shared micromobility to support, promote and enhance shared alternatives to traditional transportation across North America, and represents 90 organisations working across both sectors.
NABSA’s 2019 conference will take place 30 September to the 2 October, in Indianapolis. To stay up to date on conference announcements and registration, click here.
