This article supported by Los Angeles Bicycle Attorney as part of a general sponsorship package. All opinions in the article are that of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of LABA. Click on the ad for more information.This article supported by Los Angeles Bicycle Attorney. Click on the bar for more information.
This morning Metro kicked off its third 2017 expansion of Metro Bike Share. Today's expansion adds 165 bicycles at 15 stations serving the city of Los Angeles neighborhood of Venice, including several in the adjacent city of Santa Monica, which connect the bike-share system to the Metro Expo Line.
Map of Venice area bike-share stations as of today. Image via Metro Bike Share websiteMap of Venice area bike-share stations as of today. Image via Metro Bike Share website
The bike-share opening was marked with festivities at Venice Beach's Windward Plaza. On hand to welcome the expansion were Metro Boardmember Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, Boardmember and L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin, Metro Deputy CEO Stephanie Wiggins, LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds, and Bicycle Transit Systems CEO Allison Cohen.
Dupont-Walker mentioned a long list of communities where bike-share expansion is being evaluated: North Hollywood, Culver City, Palms, Burbank, Huntington Park, Marina Del Rey, East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley, to which Bonin added Playa Vista. With recent state funding announced, the next expansions will likely be in the Downtown/USC/South L.A./Expo Line area, and the San Gabriel Valley.
City Councilmember Mike Bonin welcomes Metro Bike Share to VeniceCity Councilmember Mike Bonin welcomes Metro Bike Share to Venice
LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds acknowledges Councilmember Mike Bonin's leadershipxxx
Councilmember Bonin, who represents the Venice community, emphasized the importance of creating inexpensive ways for Angelenos to get to the beach. He praised the fact that Venice now has access to two bike-share systems, with Santa Monica Breeze and Metro Bike Share overlapping in the area. Reynolds also welcomed the redundancy, stating that Los Angeles is big enough for multiple types of bike-share.
Ready to ride: left to right are BTS' Allison Cohen, Metro's Stephanie Wiggins, Metro boardmember Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, LADOT GM Seleta Reynolds, and City Councilmember Mike BoninReady to ride: left to right are BTS' Allison Cohen, xxx
After the opening speeches, more than a hundred folks in attendance celebrated with a ride along the beach bike path.
Metro Bike Share riders on the beach bike pathMetro Bike Share riders on the beach bike path
Metro Bike Share docking station ready to be filled - located at Rose Avenue and Main StreetMetro Bike Share docking station ready to be filled - located at Rose Avenue and Main Street
Foothill Transit CEO Doran Barnes credits their successes to a "commitment to community," a "spirit of innovation," and fruitful collaborations with numerous partners
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