Detroit Bike Share to launch Spring 2017 with 420 bikes

Not satisfied with the RTA’s options? Detroit will complement its variety of public transit options with a big bike share program starting next spring.

The Detroit Downtown Partnership (DDP) and the City of Detroit announced that Shift Transit will provide 420 bikes and 42 stations for Detroit’s first public bike share system. Detroit Bike Share will provide short-term bike rental through a network of wireless, solar-powered kiosks located throughout greater Downtown Detroit.

Shift Transit was selected through a competitive bid process by a team of representatives from the City of Detroit and DDP. Shift Transit’s team was chosen for a variety of reasons, including its years of experience launching and managing some of the largest and most successful bike share programs in North America.

"We are one step closer in providing another option for Detroiters and visitors to make their way around the city," said Dan Dirks, Director of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). "Bike share will help expand the reach of not only DDOT’s services, but other transit modes as well."

Specific station locations for Detroit Bike Share have not been determined. Starting this fall, there will be opportunities for residents, business owners, property owners, visitors, and other stakeholders to provide input on station locations, as well as membership and pricing options. Stations will be located in proximity to other transit such as DDOT and SMART bus stops, the Detroit People Mover and the QLine (M-1 Rail) to increase the reach of these systems and enable people to travel farther using public transit.

Detroit’s bike share system is receiving support from Henry Ford Health System/Health Alliance Plan, the Federal Transit Administration, Michigan Department of Transportation, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Hudson Webber Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.