http://journalrecord.com/2016/08/05/bike-sharing-program-to-upgrade-general-news/

I know this would never work in OKC right now, but it would be really cool to see Broadway St. be reworked to a completely pedestrian street from downtown to 10th. Cars could still cross east to west, but it could function like Santa Monica walking zone in dt Santa Monica. Broadway doesn't seem to get too much traffic at times I've been there. Bike lines for Spokies would be a good promotion.

http://journalrecord.com/2016/08/05/bike-sharing-program-to-upgrade-general-news/

I know this would never work in OKC right now, but it would be really cool to see Broadway St. be reworked to a completely pedestrian street from downtown to 10th. Cars could still cross east to west, but it could function like Santa Monica walking zone in dt Santa Monica. Broadway doesn't seem to get too much traffic at times I've been there. Bike lines for Spokies would be a good promotion.

I'm not sure what you mean by Santa Monica walking zone. I've been on that street multitudes of times and it is very walkable for the most part, but I've never heard of a walking zone there.

A mid section pedestrian only corridor. They could also make Broadway extremely narrow with super wide sidewalks like they did from the Santa Monica Expo line station to the Pier.

When did the bike station @ Level get removed?

Also their website is really bad, a lot of 404 pages.

OKC bike-sharing program to upgrade

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record August 5, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – The city’s Spokie’s bicycle-sharing program is getting a $200,000 face-lift this month with a full fleet replacement and new docking stations downtown.

The 50 bikes from Wisconsin-based BCycle LLC will be sturdier and require fewer repairs, said Michael Scroggins, spokesman for Embark, the city’s public transportation agency. BCycle will also provide better electronic purchase equipment and data feedback than the current system so that Embark can track user trends.

The upgrade is due in part to another contribution of $50,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. The health insurance company’s gift last year helped pay for paint jobs, repairs and signage in exchange for marketing space on each bike. Company spokeswoman Lauren Dennison said Blue Cross and Blue Shield was merely interested in improving the community’s overall health through activity.

A 2012 report by the nonprofit League of American Bicyclists found that communities that sponsor bike-sharing programs benefit from better-than-average health, which lowers health care costs and improves productivity. The nation’s 60 million annual recreational bicyclists spend $46.9 billion on meals, transportation, lodging, gifts and entertainment, researchers found.

“Communities that have fostered that popularity by providing bicycle infrastructure for transportation and recreation have seen considerable economic benefits by attracting businesses, tourism, and active residents,” the report says. “Neighborhoods become more desirable when traffic slows down and residents have more transportation choices. Businesses can encourage shopping among loyal, local customers by making getting there by bike more appealing.”

Scroggins said Spokies is starting to show an impact on local culture as people increasingly rent the bikes for lunchtime jaunts downtown and tourism in the evenings. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some commuters are starting to use the bikes so they can park their automobiles farther away from work, as is the case in Los Angeles, which recently launched a 1,000-bike, 65-station initiative called Metro Bikes with BCycle equipment.

One of the new docking stations has been installed in front of the Ballpark. It looks much nicer than the previous one.

One of the new docking stations has been installed in front of the Ballpark. It looks much nicer than the previous one.

The new one is placed at Level/Native Roots now, too. I agree it looks good. Interested to try out the new bikes.

Bcycle has been doing bike share for a long time. Should be a major upgrade.

I used them in SLC a couple years ago and really wanted something similar at the time as an upgrade to Spokies. So glad we are finally getting them!

Looks like they are installing the new racks near McNellies today.

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Good grief that solar panel is visually jarring.

Good grief that solar panel is visually jarring.

Same reaction when I saw the one next to Native Roots.

Good grief that solar panel is visually jarring.

No kidding - that's a weird spot for that to be placed.

I'm sure the solar-driven nature of this required them to move the location to the south, because the previous location was directly east of the building and in the shadows most the day.

It really takes away from the view walking towards McNellies. It would have been cool if they could have mounted the solar panel on the top of the light poles, or something similar. Or maybe have multiple smaller panels.

I'm sure the solar-driven nature of this required them to move the location to the south, because the previous location was directly east of the building and in the shadows most the day.

I was also thinking it might be due to the way they are re-working the street level east side of the building. It looks like maybe they are continuing their recent retail conversion in that direction..?

I was also thinking it might be due to the way they are re-working the street level east side of the building. It looks like maybe they are continuing their recent retail conversion in that direction..?

You win the Pinto!

I had just seen this submitted to the DDRC and didn't connect the dots until now... They are putting in storefronts in the old Spokies spot.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plazacourt081116a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plazacourt081116b.jpg

That solar panel is a lot better to see than utility wires.

How many bikes do the new stations support? The old one here could hold a maximum of 16 bikes but it looks like the new one can only hold 8...

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Deep Deuce Spokies station (from this morning).

I love that it's the businesses along Walker pushing the urban street wall despite the city's refusal to do so in general.

Do we know what businesses are going into those retail spots?

A couple shots of the Automobile Alley station from this evening... avec des bicyclettes
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Thanks!

Those bikes look way better than the previous version, which were crazy heavy and cumbersome.

Glad to see this project get a big upgrade. Wish they would expand to Film Row.

They had discussed Film Row at one point as they called me to see if I had any objection to it being outside our office (we didn't). It has been quite a while though since that call occurred.


Thanks!

Those bikes look way better than the previous version, which were crazy heavy and cumbersome.

Glad to see this project get a big upgrade. Wish they would expand to Film Row.

Didn't they cite cost of implementation as one of the things holding expansion back? Then they go and replace the entire system...

If they go to Film Row, the rack should be further west IMO,

Like near the Paramount.

Didn't they cite cost of implementation as one of the things holding expansion back? Then they go and replace the entire system...

Those bikes were nearly unrideable. Replacing the bikes was a necessary first step. Expanding the network with the same bikes would be like adding a breakfast nook extension onto your kitchen when your existing kitchen was only a microwave oven sitting on a bare concrete floor.

Yeah, they were pretty bad.

I rented one once and only once.

Just used the Santa Monica Breeze bike share yesterday. I think the bikes were better than OKC's (geared) but the payment system was a bit wonky. You have to download an app or preload a credit card onto an account. Each bike has its own solar powered fare box that connects to a very very slow WIFI system to complete the transaction. Several bikes would not connect and eventually the 4th bike found the network. I thought the Spokie system of swipe and unlock was much better and faster.

Also due to the preloading of money into an account, I now have a credit of $8 because our total fare for renting both bikes for a half hour was only $7, not sure if I can get a refund or not. Not sure the next time I will be in that area and specifically want to rent a bike. So it really may be some time before I ever get the money back or end up using it.

If they go to Film Row, the rack should be further west IMO,

Like near the Paramount.

I was thinking down close to 21c or by the music venue where t is still close to hotel

IMO they could easily put one at the very beginning of FR _AND_ by Jones/21c and meet the goals of the program (quarter mile disbursement of stations I think), and I think in time both of those locations would get well utilized.

Spokies is free tomorrow according to their Twitter.

And buses. Don't forget about buses.

News release from City of OKC:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/spokies082216.jpg

EMBARK Launches New Spokies Bikes & Stations
New Trek Bikes Offer Better Ride

Oklahoma City – EMBARK launched major upgrades to the Spokies bike share system last week, by adding 50 new Trek bikes to the fleet and joining the national BCycle network.

The $304,000 upgrade is possible through the collaborative efforts and funding of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA), the City of Oklahoma City, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and the Federal Transportation Administration

The new bike seats are easier to adjust to accommodate people of different heights, have front and rear hand brakes, have splash guards for a cleaner ride, and the 3-speeds make navigating hills easier. Besides the comfort factor, several bike features will help Spokies manage maintenance and operations. The bikes are all GPS enabled to help track their whereabouts, have puncture-resistant tires for urban terrain and are specific to bike share programs and outdoor storage which makes them more durable. GPS allows pass holders to locate available bikes from a mobile device and track calories burned and miles traveled while taking a Spokies trip.

“Spokies is an important part of our multimodal transit network,” says Jason Ferbrache, EMBARK Administrator. “This upgrade is an investment in providing a reliable and active transit alternative. Someone who takes a bus or parks their car in the downtown area can use Spokies to get to their final destination. The new bikes, stations and pricing structure will make that faster and easier.”

The Spokies pricing structure has also been updated. The bikes can be checked out at any of the eight stations in the downtown area for $3.50 per half hour. A monthly pass is $9.95 and an annual pass is $70. Pass holders receive unlimited 60 minute trips. During ozone alert season, 30 minute rides are free on the third Friday of the month. Upcoming dates are August 19 and September 16.

EMBARK’s bike share program is serviced by Bicycle Transit Systems, with bikes and stations provided by BCycle, a unit of Trek Bicycles of Wisconsin. These companies have successfully launched and/or operate more than 40 bike share systems in metropolitan areas in the United States and abroad. Spokies monthly or annual pass holders have the benefit of using the bike share program when they travel to those metro areas, with only usage fees for longer rides.

To find a Spokies bike or learn more about the program, www.SpokiesOKC.com


About Spokies
There are eight Spokies stations throughout downtown and within a five minute ride from one another.
Spokies is an EMBARK transit service. EMBARK is the business unit of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA) – a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City. EMBARK is responsible for providing safe, efficient and convenient public transportation and downtown parking solutions to the greater Oklahoma City area.

COTPA is celebrating 50 years of leadership in providing public transit and downtown parking services to Oklahoma’s capital city.

Doesn't pertain to OKC, but it was interesting to read that Seattle is killing their bike share program in favor of putting the money toward other bike and pedestrian safety improvements.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-ed-murray-kills-seattles-bike-share-program-pronto/?utm_content=bufferbd020&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

I don't think that's true. A friend of mine who is a transit planner there said they were just reevaluating the program and may chose a new operator soon. Topography makes bikeshare a challenge in Seattle.

They've always invested in bike lanes, they just haven't really connected them all yet.

If you haven't ridden Spokies since the new bikes came out you gotta try again. The new bike are SOOOOOOO much better than the old ones.

Now we just need some more stations.

Spartan, it's dead in Seattle. ...

Yeah, the new bikes are really nice. I never rode the old ones, but I've tried out the new ones a couple of times now and even for a fat kid like me, they're comfortable and easy to ride. I'd love to see Spokies expand their network though... A station or two in the OU Medical Center campus would do well, as would one near 21c or in Film Row, and also one somewhere around the capitol building.

Yeah, the new bikes are really nice. I never rode the old ones, but I've tried out the new ones a couple of times now and even for a fat kid like me, they're comfortable and easy to ride. I'd love to see Spokies expand their network though... A station or two in the OU Medical Center campus would do well, as would one near 21c or in Film Row, and also one somewhere around the capitol building.

I'd love to see stations in plaza, 23rd, paseo, western ave, an in the future, Farmers Market. One of the guys who manages the system said they would definitely expand if they ever got more funding. So if you have a bunch of money and love bike share, pony up and lets ride into the sunset.

I'd love to see stations in plaza, 23rd, paseo, western ave, an in the future, Farmers Market. One of the guys who manages the system said they would definitely expand if they ever got more funding. So if you have a bunch of money and love bike share, pony up and lets ride into the sunset.

Even more important than expanding the geographical range of Spokies is infilling the current expanse. I once heard that most cities with successful bike share systems have 5x the number of stations in a similar square mileage that OKC has with Spokies. For people to really start using Spokies as transit they need to be able to get door-to-door service, or closer to it. At least that is the experience of most other cities. For me, walking 2 or 3 blocks to a station on both sides of my trip negates the usefulness of the Spokies as a mode of transportation.

So my big idea for infill/expansion: A new Deep Deuce station near the Maywood apartments. One on the 13th St. side of the Edge Apartments in Midtown. One in front of the Lift apartments in Midtown. One in front of the Steelyard/Criterion. One at Sheridan and Oklahoma Ave. One at the Skirvin.

So that's 6 new stations more or less within the within the boundaries of the existing network of 8. Only then should we talk about expanding: first towards 21C and Film row, then up to 23rd and Walker, Perle Mesta Park at 19th and Shartel. 16th and Classen, and the Plaza.

A guy can dream, right?

Even more important than expanding the geographical range of Spokies is infilling the current expanse. I once heard that most cities with successful bike share systems have 5x the number of stations in a similar square mileage that OKC has with Spokies. For people to really start using Spokies as transit they need to be able to get door-to-door service, or closer to it. At least that is the experience of most other cities. For me, walking 2 or 3 blocks to a station on both sides of my trip negates the usefulness of the Spokies as a mode of transportation.

So my big idea for infill/expansion: A new Deep Deuce station near the Maywood apartments. One on the 13th St. side of the Edge Apartments in Midtown. One in front of the Lift apartments in Midtown. One in front of the Steelyard/Criterion. One at Sheridan and Oklahoma Ave. One at the Skirvin.

So that's 6 new stations more or less within the within the boundaries of the existing network of 8. Only then should we talk about expanding: first towards 21C and Film row, then up to 23rd and Walker, Perle Mesta Park at 19th and Shartel. 16th and Classen, and the Plaza.

A guy can dream, right?

I agree it'd be great to have more stations within the core as well, however without ridership to and from neighborhoods where people would actually live who is going to use Spokies as a viable means of transportation? Rn, not too many people both live and work dt to support more bikes.

Spartan, it's dead in Seattle. ...

Probably swapping it out with an electric fleet, right? They seemed to form a consensus that they need pedal assist to get casual bicyclists pedaling up and down the hills.

http://mynorthwest.com/470637/seattle-bike-share-expected-to-change/

It would be nice to see OKC get to about 30-40 stations.

https://ggwash.org/view/62137/all-119-us-bikeshare-systems-ranked-by-size?utm_content=buffer2663d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

I love the Spokies program and I hope it continues to infill and grow. I would use the program but I ride my own bike to and from work when weather permits. Does the city expect visitors or residents to be the majority of Spokies ridership? This is a legitimate question and not an attempt to start argument as to the program's usefulness.

Also, have the city maps located at the bike stations always been present or is that a new addition? I think it they are very useful for out-of-towners trying to explore and I imaginethey encourage use of the biking system.

It would be nice to see OKC get to about 30-40 stations.

https://ggwash.org/view/62137/all-119-us-bikeshare-systems-ranked-by-size?utm_content=buffer2663d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

I'm under the impression that via the 2017 GO bond process, Spokies is trying to get in the neighborhood of a couple dozen stations.

Station/dock-less bike share programs are now the thing, shame they didn't come along before all the infrastructure for stations/docks was invested in. :(

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-dockless-bikes-may-spell-the-end-of-the-old-bike_us_59e75b03e4b0432b8c11eb9d?section=us_huffpo st-partners

Lime Bikes and V bikes are ALL OVER downtown Dallas and the surrounding neighborhoods...I've actually seen a couple pop up in downtown Arlington and near UTA as well.

We have dockless bikes in Denton and I see them everywhere.

I noticed dockless Spokies this weekend downtown. I did not ride one but I noticed they say $1.25 to start and a per mile price after that similar to the Lime Scooter rental model. I have yet to ride a s. The new bikes are a different model than the ones in the docking stations. I noticed them while out on my evening jog the last two days and ran by quite a few of them in Bricktown and by the Cox Convention Center.

https://embarkok.com/connect/news/spokies-e-bikes


EMBARK Introduces Electric Bikes During National Bike Month

Spokies Bike Share Adds 53 Pedal-Assist Bikes

OKLAHOMA CITY – Officials with EMBARK announced today they have added 53 electric bikes to its Spokies Bike Share system in downtown OKC. The system expansion introduces new bike technology while growing the overall fleet to 112 total dockless bicycles.

Spokies launched in 2012 as the city’s only bike share program in central Oklahoma. The service offers a convenient and healthy way to commute downtown. Funding for the E-bikes came from Federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant.

“EMBARK continues to evolve the transit options in the communities we serve,” said Jason Ferbrache, EMBARK Administrator. “With the new E-bikes, customers can expand their trip length and make the trip with ease. The electric bikes can be more comfortable to operate than pedal-only bikes, especially when going uphill. Our vision is to create a transportation system that all want to access. With the new E-bikes, we’ve taken another step toward that reality.”

Spokies E-bike motors turn on automatically when pedaling begins. When the battery is fully charged, the pedal-assist feature can operate for as many as 25 miles or two hours of sustained use. Once the battery is depleted, the bike is still rideable without the motor’s pedal assistance. No gears are required for the E-bikes.

How to Use an E-Bike

To use an E-bike, download the Spokies app found on www.spokiesokc.com or in an Apple or Google app store. With the app, you can find, unlock and activate a bike.

Frequent Spokies commuters are encouraged to purchase annual or monthly passes. Annual passes are $120 per year and include 40 minutes of ride time per day with charges per minute over that amount. Monthly passes are $20 for 30 days with 40 minutes of ride time per day. Day passes are $12 and include 4 hours of ride time.


For more information about Spokies, visit spokiesokc.com.


I was part of the source selection team many months ago so it's great that these are finally hitting the streets. If you were at bike fest yesterday, you had the opportunity to try one out.

Picture from bike fest:
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