As planned, the Baltimore Bikeshare is set to return from its temporary shutdown on Sunday. However, it won’t have a full complement of bikes available.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the program will return with 50 bikes on the street. That’s one-fourth the size of the initial deployment when the bikeshare launched about a year ago.
This first appearance back on the street follows a move to shut down the program on Sept. 15. The city’s Department of Transportation said it provided a chance for the program to reset. The shutdown came after many bikeshare stations were depleted due to thefts and some maintenance issues. Additionally, a planned expansion was curtailed by issues with a manufacturer supplying a key part for the bikes. The Washington Post reported that other cities also had early problems before their programs got off the ground.
The Sun reports that the bikes now have upgraded GPS, and the stations were outfitted with new locks. Fresh paint is also being applied.
One of the team getting ready for next week! Everyone is so excited get rolling again. #bikeshare pic.twitter.com/ZfoZO4TdMk
— Baltimore Bike Share (@BewegenTech) October 10, 2017
Officials are hoping to have the full fleet back in operation by Oct. 28. That date marks the one-year anniversary of the program’s debut. The city worked with Bewegen Technologies, which made pedal-assist technology for the bikes. Corps Logistics provides staffing for the program.
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