By John Guidroz
jguidroz@americanpress.com
Lake Charles and McNeese State University are “feasible locations for a bikeshare system,” according to the recently-released Bayou Bikeshare Plan study.
Bantam Strategy Group of Baton Rouge and Toole Design Group conducted the study, which began last fall. It gives suggestions for introducing a bike-share program in Lake Charles and Sulphur.
The study recommends an initial launch of 151 smart electric bicycles, with 32 hub locations in Lake Charles. A second phase would be rolled out three years later, bringing in 184 new bicycles and 39 new hubs.
“This recommendation removes the need for larger dock-based stations and kiosks while still providing a functional and easy-to-use program,” the study reads.
It recommends funding be a combination of “user fees and sponsorship/advertising partnerships” and not rely on government dollars. It also advises the city and McNeese to choose one bike-share vendor through a cooperative endeavor agreement.
For Sulphur, the study suggests “a bicycle library” and focusing initially “on a community bicycle and pedestrian plan.” A bicycle library would let residents pay a minimal fee to check out a fleet of bicycles from staffed locations.
According to the study, the bicycle library is being proposed because Sulphur has a smaller population and a “low-to-moderate demand for bike-share.”
The study recommends an initial launch of 151 smart electric bicycles, with 32 hub locations in Lake Charles. A second phase would be rolled out three years later, bringing in 184 new bicycles and 39 new hubs.
“This type of program is not set up for short, spontaneous, point-to-point trips,” the study reads. “A resident or student could check out a bike and keep it for a month or a semester as a means of getting around.”
A central hub should start out with “at least 10 to 20 bikes,” including bicycles for children. The central hub location could be one of the six parks in Sulphur.
Lori Marinovich, assistant director of planning for the city of Lake Charles, said the city will look for interested bike-share vendors and will also discuss the option of partnering with McNeese.
“This program can be an asset for our students, particularly our resident and international students,” Marinovich said in a statement.
The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana commissioned the study.
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Online: bayoubikeshare.com