Summary: Ordinance delegating authority to the Director of the Planning and Development Department to negotiate with Houston Bike Share for the operation of the Houston BCycle Bike Share Program (Contract No. 74862); and increasing the maximum contract amount.
Background: The ordinance will allow the Planning Director, as the mayor’s designee, to enter into negotiations with Houston Bike Share for the operation of the City’s Houston BCycle Bike Share Program to keep the program running until METRO rolls out their bike share system set to launch next summer. The ordinance will also increase the maximum contract amount for bike station equipment and installation and for the maintenance and operation of City-owned BCycle stations. The funding will ensure Houstonians continue to have access to bike share as another commute option for work and school or for recreation and exercise.
Earlier this year, METRO announced plans to deploy a highly functional bike share system that is integrated into their transit network. METRO has selected a vendor to do this and anticipates beginning operations in 2024 with 20 bike stations. Until the new system is in place, Houston Bike Share is committed to operating a reduced network of 60 stations and to bring as many suspended stations back into service as possible. The organization has cut costs by downsizing the network, eliminating positions, and improving network stability. To generate more revenue, they’ve increased user fees and are encouraging management districts, institutions, private property owners and others to contribute to the operations and maintenance costs for stations in their service areas.
The ordinance will also enable the City to reimburse Houston Bike Share for costs incurred to construct two bike stations that district council members allocated CDSF funds towards stations in their district. The CDSF commitment is coming from FY 2024 allocations. The breakdown of the current year funding is shown below:
$500,000 Operations and maintenance to be used in FY 2024
$ 9,430 Magnolia Station Council District Service Funds - District I
$ 31,000 Meyerland JCC Station Council District Service Funds – District C
$540,430
Fiscal Note:
A portion of funding for this item is not included in the FY2024 Adopted Budget. Therefore, a fiscal note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Estimated Fiscal Operating Impact
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Recurring or One Time:
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One Time
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Fund Name
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FY2024
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Out Year
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Total
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General Fund (Planning)
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$500,000
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$0
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$500,000
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Total
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$500,000
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$0
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$500,000
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Margaret Wallace Brown
Planning Director, AICP
Planning and Development Department