City: Bike-share program further delayed

The fleet of bikes that have already been delayed to launch the City’s 2018 bike-share program are still not here – and it won’t be until October before a “light fleet of bikes” will be available in Kingston.

According to a press release from the City of Kingston, Dropbike Inc, the provider of the City’s bike-share program, has informed the City that the launch of this year’s bike-share program will be further delayed “until mid-to-late October.” This follows a delay in the launch of the program in July due to a manufacturer’s recall of some of the components on bikes that supposed to arrive in Kingston.

The City said that Dropbike Inc. has confirmed that the bikes destined for Kingston are now ready and in transit to the company’s headquarters in Toronto.

“The City is working with Dropbike Inc. to have a light fleet of bikes in Kingston from mid-to-late October until November 15, 2018. Both the City and Dropbike are committed to the bike-share program and will ensure it will be fully implemented in early 2019,” the press release reads.

Paul MacLatchy, environment director for the City of Kingston, said the City has been working with Dropbike to confirm the bikes are now safe and ready to use.

“Even though the time residents have to use the bike-share service will be short, there will still be an opportunity for residents to try out a Dropbike this year and we will be fully ready to roll out again in the spring of 2019,” he said.

Emmett Meacher, director of business development and government relations for Drop Mobility said the company will be offering discounts to users in Kingston during the short time the bikes will be available this year.

“We remain fully committed to providing a world class mobility service that supports Kingston’s active transportation and carbon reduction goals.  Although the riding season this year will be limited, as a token of our appreciation for Kingstonians, we will be offering the service at a steep discount to all riders this fall,” Meacher said.

“We are pleased to say that all issues with our bikes have been addressed and the fleet is now in transit to Kingston.”

Kingston City Council approved the selection of Drop Mobility to provide a larger scale program in Kingston following the success of a bike-share pilot program in 2017. Drop Mobility is to provide that program from 2018 until 2021. The program will provide more than 50 locations, known as ‘havens’ where bikes can be rented for short-term use. Once the program is active, the Dropbikes can be rented for a small fee through the Dropbike mobile app, and can be returned at any haven location. For more information on the program from the City, click here.