Bike sharing is an innovative transportation program that increases the use of bicycles for relatively short-range travel, providing users the ability to pick up a bicycle at any self-serve bike station and return it to any other bike station located within the system's service area. Membership fees typically pay for the first half hour of use, at which point additional charges are assessed in half-hour intervals. The pricing structure of these systems therefore incentivizes short trips. Benefits of bike sharing systems identified in published research include traffic congestion and emissions reductions by providing an alternative to short automobile trips, increased public awareness and enthusiasm for bicycling, economic benefits around bike sharing stations, and possible public health benefits.
The Transportation Agency completed a Monterey County Bike Share Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan in 2012 that analyzed ridership and station placement, cost estimates for implementation and economic impacts to bike rental businesses.The Study identified Monterey and Pacific Grove as the highest-suitability areas for successful bike share.
The City of Monterey is currently exploring the potential of establishing a citywide bike sharing program. City of Monterey staff will present an update on the program. If the City moves forward, the next steps would include coordinating the program, applying for funding, station planning and permitting, selecting a vendor/operator, and public outreach.