Bike share programs have become a part of the modern urban community. Both Greenville and Charleston maintain a bike share program that allows anyone to affordably rent a bike for a short period of time for fitness and transportation. Columbia has tried to get a bike share program since 2015, and now it seems that the goal will become reality by September.
The specific share program coming to Columbia is going to include 15 stations placed around the city to accommodate 135 bikes that anyone can rent and return. The program also plans to expand to 25 stations and get up to 225 bikes. The bike company the city is using for this program, Bewegen Technologies, operates similar share programs in 18 cities across the world. The current deal between Columbia and Bewegen includes no upfront costs for the city, unlike the original master plan that required the city to spend between $3.4 and 4 million to start the share program. Most importantly, 80 percent of the program’s revenue will go back to the city for bicycle infrastructure improvements.
Bike sharing is just what Columbia needs. Just look at the construction of the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville and subsequent bike share program that has totally revitalized the city’s downtown, bringing in $6.7 million for local businesses. Here bike sharing demonstrates its key feature: It represents a positive feedback loop in which people have fun and get exercise while also boosting the local economy and allowing even more work to be done on bike lanes so others can join in.
What group would benefit from the bike share more if not students? Even if students themselves did not use the program, any use of it would mean fewer cars on the road and therefore less traffic. Students love to complain about parking on and around campus, and the bike share program offers an alternative to driving that would leave more spots for motorists. Biking to class or work is an easy and low-impact way to stay in shape by replacing sedentary time spent in are car or bus and can even improve mental health. I think its fair to say any exercise is good in a state that currently has a 32.3 percent obesity rate, which is the 12th highest in the United States. Studies have even shown that cycling can improve your sex life by helping things like circulation and general fitness.
Overall, a bike share program for Columbia means less traffic for everyone and a healthier population. Columbia has so many distinct and interesting places that could now be accessible by bike, like 5 Points, the Vista, and Main Street, so a program that allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and get healthy sounds nothing like a bad idea.