Vegas’ first bike-share coming to Downtown
by KRISTY TOTTEN
Downtown just got a little more progressive, for some.
Next Friday, the Molasky Corporate Center will unveil the city’s first bike-share program, making 10 Electra “Townie” model bikes available to the building’s 1,000 tenants. The good news is that it’s innovative and healthy, a mode of transportation that’s good for riders and the environment. The disappointing news is that it’s private, available only to Molasky tenants, which include Jason’s Deli, 24 Hour Fitness, Southern Nevada Water Authority and the IRS.
Still, it’s a stride for our auto-addicted city, which is known to be less than friendly to cyclists and pedestrians. Hopefully this program will lead the way for a public system like Denver B-Cycle or Nice Ride Minnesota, where riders can pay as little as a few bucks for 24-hour usage or about $60 for an annual permit, which is still cheaper than a one-month RTC bus pass. To the RTC’s credit, though, it has proven itself pro-cycling. All of its buses carry bikes and last year it opened a Bike Center at the Bonneville Transit Station, which fixes and sells bikes, has lockers and showers for bike commuters, and regularly offers free bike maintenance and safety classes.
In any case, kudos to the Molasky Center for a step in the right direction. Here’s looking forward to a public program.
