Bike sharing company to operate for 18 months
Kelowna council has signed off on the city's 18-month trial run with a bike sharing service.
Starting April 1, Dropbike will deploy 500 to 1500 of its pay-per-use bikes around town, which can be rented using an app.
Councillor Charlie Hodge asked staff about whether they'd need to provide helmets, given the fact the bylaw requires it.
Programs Manager Jerry Dombowsky says the city won't be liable.
"Helmets are required by law in British Columbia, and we also require them as part of a bike share operation. However, like any other rental operation, like a car with a child care safety seat requirement, it's up to the individual user to do that," he said.
"W don't assume liabiltiy for that, in that sense. So legally it's .not an issue"
Helmet sharing hasn't worked in other cities in the past, because of damage and hygiene issues.
Dombowsky also says this pilot deal doesn't lock the city in to any future deals with Dropbike.
"At the end of the proposed pilot project we'll come back to council with a recommendation, " he said.
"But it is our intention and our ability to go to RFP (request for proposals). Dropbike is fully aware of that, that there could be a competitive process at that point. We have the full ability to go to some sort of competitcve process, that's our intention."
The bikes will be parked throughout city streets in groups called havens, and are rentable through a phone app.
Councillor Luke Stack says he already wants to sign up.
"I had my bike stolen awhile ago, and I don't want to replace it, because I keep it in parkade. I look at this and I think, this would be a perfect solution for me," he said.
"Hopefully I would have good access to a haven near my home, and I don't have to worry about my bike being stolen again.
The Dropbikes are outfitted with GPS technology, and can be tracked down if not returned.
