Kelowna's Bike Share program began on June 12th and it's a big success. Active Transportation Co-ordinator Matt Worona says 17 thousand people in Kelowna have the bike share app on their phones. With only 331 bikes available, each was ridden more than 100 times over the summer. Worona says one of the reasons for the success is the decision not to install costly infrastructure like physical docks to lock the bikes in place at drop off points. We don't do that here. You've likely seen the orange and white bikes in special parking spots.
Worona says Kelowna is currently in negotiations with it's partner to extend the program through the winter. Kelowna wants to be able to judge winter demand in order to assess the program as a year round venture. If it works, Kelowna would be one of the first places in the country to deliver dockless bike share in a winter setting.