Do you want a bike station in your neighborhood? | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Raina J. Johnson
August 18, 2014
Silvia Tajo, a Fulbright Scholar from Colombia visiting Milwaukee, tests out a Bublr Bike. (Photo By Raina J. Johnson)
Bublr Bikes, Milwaukee’s new bike sharing program, is seeking input from community members and businesses on where additional bicycle stations should go.
Individuals or businesses are invited to suggest locations at the organization’s website. Visitors can see where the bikes are stationed now, as well as what locations already have been suggested.
“The more people who suggest a particular location, the better. We’ll take a close look at that. This is truly a collaborative process,” said Nancy Ketchman, community relations representative for Bublr.
Bublr Bikes is hosting a variety of information sessions about the program until Sept. 3 at Milwaukee County Libraries.
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Bicycle stations with 10 bikes each are located at Discovery World and Red Arrow Park, at Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street.  Additional stations are expected to be installed at eight other downtown locations by the end of the month.
The bikes are a good way to connect people to their communities and to transportation options already in place, Ketchman said. “Bublr Bikes can operate as the last mile connection with transit. If you just miss the bus or want to get some exercise, this is a good option.”
Added Jackie Janz, marketing director for Milwaukee County Transit, “We’re happy about all modes of transportation — bikes, walking or a car — that connect transit with all sorts of people.”
Individuals can rent Bublr Bikes at a kiosk using a credit card or a prepaid membership to purchase a day pass for $7, or a $20 monthly pass for unlimited short trips less than 30 minutes. Longer trips have additional fees. The 2014 bike-sharing season will close at the end of November and reopen in March.
A larger launch of 100 stations and 1,000 bikes is expected over the next few years, beginning with neighborhoods that could include Bay View, Walker’s Point, King Drive, Brady Street and the Menomonee Valley. In 2016, the system is looking to expand to the suburban areas of Wauwatosa, Shorewood and West Allis.
Milwaukee’s master bicycle plan calls for 125 miles of new bike lanes and 40 miles of bike boulevards and trails.  A bike boulevard is a street that has been specifically designed for bicycle traffic, with low speed limits and light traffic.
The bike share system puts Milwaukee on par with Madison, Minneapolis and Chicago, which already have successful bike sharing programs.
Avid cyclist John Jordan rides every day and is excited about the program. “This is a great way to explore the wonders of Milwaukee by bike,” he said.