The sharing of publicly funded bikes is a relatively new concept popping up in major cities for both convenience and to cut down on traffic.
By the end of the summer, a program will be in place over about 1.5 square miles of downtown Las Vegas. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada hopes that if it works there, the program will be expanded.
Out of seven bidders, the RTC chose a company from Wisconsin to provide the bikes and build the 20 bike stations.
David Swallow, RTC senior director of engineering and technology, said people will rent the bikes for 30 minutes before they have to check in at another station. If they want to ride the bike for longer, they will be charged more.
Swallow said the time is limited to 30 minutes to ensure that the 180 or so bikes will be readily available to everyone.
The program will initially be confined to an area bordered by U.S. Highway 95 to the north, I-15 to the west, Bruce Street to the east and parts of Sahara and Charleston to the south.
David Swallow, senior director of engineering and technology with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.
