City to seek new partnerships for public bike share system
June 11, 2015 – In the coming weeks, we'll seek bids from proponents to provide, implement, and operate a bike share system. The procurement process will reflect recent changes in the bike share industry and provide an opportunity to consider new proponents and new technologies.
Although we had identified Alta as the preferred proponent through a request for expressions of interest in 2011, Alta and its partner Bixi have both undergone major restructuring and corporate change since that time. As a result, the City and Motivate (formerly Alta) have not reached an agreement.
Learn more in our news story
City continues work on final agreement with Motivate (formerly Alta)
December 2014 – After Alta experienced financial challenges it began operating as Motivate with new financial backing. The company and City continued to work toward a final agreement that included the City’s requirements for securing sponsorship, securing financing, and development of a helmet system.
Council approves public bike share contract and budget
July 23, 2013 – Council approved a five-year contract with Alta, provided that Alta meets the sponsorship and lending agreement requirements.
Staff update external stakeholders
May 2013 – City staff met again with external stakeholders over two sessions to give a project status update and present strategies to address concerns raised in the September 2012 sessions.
Staff negotiate an agreement-in-principle with Alta
April 2013 – The City negotiated and settled an agreement in principle with Alta that outlines the roles and responsibilities for both parties.
Park Board to include PBS stations in parks
November 26, 2012 – The Park Board carried a motion to include bike share stations in destination parks, such as Stanley Park, and in recreation facilities that are located within the PBS system boundary.
Staff will explore options to lessen the business impact of the bike share on bike rental shops, particularly around Stanley Park.
Council amends bylaws to help implement PBS system
October 17, 2012 – Council approved the proposed bylaw changes at the October 16th public hearing and additional bylaw amendments at the October 17th Planning, Transportation, and Environment Committee meeting.
September 18, 2012 – Council received a report on potential bylaw changes to help implement and operate the PBS system. The proposed bylaw amendments would allow for:
- Bike share stations to be placed on public and private property
- Logos and signs on bikes and stations to acknowledge sponsors, subject to requirements
- Commercial transactions to rent bikes
These proposed changes to the Sign Bylaw, Zoning and Development Bylaw, and Comprehensive District (CD-1) Bylaws were referred to the October 16, 2012 public hearing.
City consults with external stakeholders to explore PBS impacts
September 2012 – To get feedback on the planned PBS system, City staff held four consultation sessions with 35 external stakeholders, including:
- Bike advocacy groups and other interest groups
- Bike rental operators and retailers
- Business improvement associations (BIAs)
- Citizen advisory groups
- Tourism representatives
- TransLink
- UBC and SFU
- Vancouver Police Department
Consultation sessions focused on three themes: impacts to bike-related businesses, safety considerations, and impacts on the public realm.
Alta agrees to meet City conditions before contract awarded
August 2, 2012 – The City set out conditions that Alta agreed to meet before the City awards the legal contract. Alta must secure a minimum level of sponsorship funding, confirm lending agreements, and deliver a helmet distribution plan and prototype.
City identifies leading proponent and starts negotiations
June 13, 2012 – The Director of Transportation updated Council on the PBS procurement process, and outlined the business model, key success factors, risks and mitigation strategies.
Alta Bicycle Share, Inc. from Portland, Oregon, is identified as the preferred operator. Alta operates PBS systems in Boston, Washington, New York City, Chicago, and Melbourne.
Public Bike System Company (also known as PBSC or Bixi) will supply equipment to Alta.
Evaluation of submitted proposals and PBS research
May 2012 – Between July 2011 and May 2012, City staff evaluated submitted PBS proposals and short-listed two proponents for further evaluation, working with several peer cities and potential local partners, such as TransLink, UBC, and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Separately, staff analyzed the experiences of other cities with PBS systems.
Call for proposals to create a public bike share system
April 2011 – Through its procurement process, the City of Vancouver issued a Request for Expressions of Interest to request interested parties to develop, install, own, operate, and finance a PBS system. Six submissions were received.
(3.3 MB)