Plans for a public bike share program in Vancouver are forging ahead, despite opposition from commercial bike rental companies.
Staff are reporting the total cost over ten years is expected to be about two-million dollars, but similar programs in other cities have failed, with taxpayers forced to bail out private contractors.
Two companies have been shortlisted to set up 15-hundred bikes at 125 stations across the city.
Council is expected to vote on a final contract this fall.
Local operators Joe Kainer of English Bay Bike Rentals and Geoff Sharein of Spokes are worried their business will suffer, saying city staff have never consulted them.
Another key challenge is ensuring participants in the public bike share wear mandatory helmets.
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