Montgomery County proposal: 50 bike stations/400 bikes in Bethesda, Silver Spring…

[Riley Casey]

Very encouraging stuff particularly the Takoma and Silver Spring components as they form a very logical extension to an increase in DC CABI from the Georgia Ave corridor. The lack of even a wisp of a timeline is a bit disquieting. I understand that asking Annapolis for funds is a wild card but is this a two year plan, a ten year plan? Enquiring minds want to know. Still very happy to see the county forging ahead on this. Bike share is going to be a winner in MoCo too.

[PotomacCyclist]

According to the presentation document (posted on the county website), they would like to install the stations during “Fall – Winter 2012”.

Montgomery County Bikeshare Presentation (Slide 12)

So it looks like they want to get moving on this relatively quickly.

[PotomacCyclist]

Montgomery County, College Park and Baltimore City received state grants to implement bikesharing systems, while Prince George’s, Greenbelt and other jurisdictions are to receive funding to study the feasibility of bikeshare in their areas.

Once the formal agreements are signed, the projects can move ahead after July 1. The exact timelines will be determined by the local jurisdictions.

So it looks like CaBi will be coming to Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Medical Center, Silver Spring, Takoma Park and College Park in the near future! (Anytime between July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2013 or so.)

http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/News/2012/May%202012/GOVERNOR%20OMALLEY%20ANNOUNCES%20BIKESHARE%20GRANTS

[PotomacCyclist]

College Park could install as many as 8 bike stations with the assistance of the state grant. I hadn’t heard about this proposal before, but it makes sense.

http://collegepark.patch.com/articles/city-receives-375k-state-grant-for-bike-share-program

[PotomacCyclist]

Looks like they may hit their Fall/Winter 2012 goal after all. A new bill is scheduled to be introduced in the Montgomery County Council today, which could speed up funding for CaBi expansion in the County. The council president said that installation of stations could begin by the end of the year. The entire first wave of stations could be in place by the spring.

The article from the Examiner also indicates that stations are being planned for Wheaton and Forest Glen, but not immediately. I hadn’t heard about the plans for these locations before.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/montgomery-county-plans-bike-sharing-expansion/article/2507436#.UE8dI40iaSr

[jopamora]

Story and map of proposed stations in Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park.

[Certifried]

http://www.bethesdanow.com/2012/12/11/bethesdas-bikeshare-rollout-not-affected-by-delays/

[PotomacCyclist]

It might be too early to say whether the spring rollout will be affected or not. Same thing with Arlington’s planned expansion.

I like the Bixi bikes and station setup, but I wish they would get their finances, software issues and manufacturing pipeline in order. Why not license the designs to another manufacturer to help ramp up production as all of the new cities (NYC, Chicago, etc.) come online? I was going to suggest a U.S. contract manufacturer, but I’m not sure any exist these days.

[PotomacCyclist]

The rollout of stations in College Park has been delayed, possibly until the fall. There’s also a chance that College Park will abandon its plan to join Capital Bikeshare and go with an alternate system.

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/local/article_45744926-8a04-11e2-baad-001a4bcf6878.html

(The planned winter D.C. expansion seems to be moving very slowly, so any expansion schedules in MD could also be inaccurate.)

[jopamora]

We have an opening date now!

[PotomacCyclist]

The first Maryland CaBi stations were installed today! (However, they are not yet operational.)

The formal launch for Montgomery County CaBi will take place by late September. Not all stations may be in place by that date, but all of them should be available soon after the ceremony.

http://www.bethesdanow.com/2013/09/10/bethesdas-first-capital-bikeshare-station-now-installed/

[Riley Casey]

Saw a large dock at 13th & EAstern Ave.

[jopamora]

Next Friday the 27th is now the rumored opening date.

[PotomacCyclist]

http://www.bethesdanow.com/2013/09/19/moco-capital-bikeshare-grand-opening-set-for-next-friday/

“The grand opening for Capital Bikeshare in Montgomery County will be Friday, Sept. 27 in Rockville, according to the consultant who is helping the county install the system.

…

“Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation has been busy installing some stations around Bethesda, Silver Spring and Rockville, but the grand opening must wait until County Executive Isiah Leggett and a delegation of county officials returns from a trip to China.”

Not sure why they needed to wait for the county officials to return. They could have had a soft opening on Sept. 20, which was the 3rd anniversary of Capital Bikeshare. That would have been a nice touch. Then have the official ceremony on Sept. 27. At least it’s only one more week. (But I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to try any of the MD stations. I haven’t ridden in Maryland in about a year.)

[kkentium]

Saw a docking station at Montgomery College on Fenton… no bikes in the stations yet tho as of yesterday.

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