Move over Car2Go – the first shared bike services are expected to hit Calgary streets this week now that two operating permits for bike sharing companies have been issued.
The City of Calgary announced the operating permits were issued today to Lime and U-bicycle.
Phase one of the pilot will be the first of its kind in Canada, because unlike in other cities where the cycles must be returned to docks, Calgary’s service will be dockless.
The bikes will be geo-fenced with GPS Technology.
Although U-bicycle is not expected to set up until the spring of 2019, Lime plans to have 375 pedal-assist e-bikes on the streets this week, mainly in anticipated high-use corridors along Stephen’s Avenue, Eau Claire, the river pathway system, along 17 Avenue SW, in Mission, Bridgeland, Kensington and Inglewood.
“Lime is very excited to be hitting the pavement in Calgary, the first Canadian city to launch Lime-E dockless electric bikes,” said Scott Harvey, Lime’s operation manager for Calgary in a prepared statement.
“We have been energized by working with the city as they move forward on their commitment to reducing barriers for active modes of transportation and are looking forward to helping empower Calgarians with this greener, more efficient, and affordable transportation options.”
The pilot is fully funded by the bike share companies taking part.
Coun. Evan Woolley said the program will help create jobs, promote mobility, and enhance tourism.
“We’ve seen the success of car2go and other ‘disruptive’ technologies—bike share is another example of Calgary adopting bold new transportation methods,” said the Ward 8 councillor in a release from the city.
