City: Bike share program a success

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Earlier this year the city of Austin launched a bike share program for city employees. It turns out it is making a big impact on our environment.

John Trowbridge bikes 13 miles to work everyday. "It's exhilarating just to get the endorphins going so early in the morning."

When he gets to Austin Energy on Barton Springs Road, he trades in his road bike for a city bike since he doesn't want to walk around town with clip in bike shoes.

"I use it once or twice a week," said Trowbridge. "I usually sneak out and have to go to the store and do a quick run to the bank and this allows me to be able to do that."
 

And that's the idea, to use pedal power instead of gas to make short trips around the city.

"Basically we have a bunch of bikes around the downtown area for city employees to use to go to meetings, lunch, or run short errands," said Lisa Braithwaite, a research analyst with the Climate Protection Program. To use the bikes city employees simply have to reserve one.

"You go online and you can reserve a bike and when you reserve a bike a code is sent to you to access the lock box," said Braithwaite.

Since March 1800 miles that would have been driven in a city vehicle has been avoided.

"We've saved about 2000 pounds of carbon and 200 dollars in gas," said Ester Matthews, Director of Austin's Climate Protection Program.
 

Because of its success, city officials are now looking to start a community wide bike share program.
 

"We're looking to identify how many bikes we'll need and the different areas within the city that would be beneficial to everyone," said Braithwaite.
 

Right now a total of 20 bikes are being used at 6 city buildings. City officials hope that number increases before years end.