Hamilton Bike Share gears up for two-month test

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(Updated)

It may be smack in the middle of winter but the City of Hamilton began testing its new bike share program Friday morning. And the new transit initiative is raising a few eyebrows.

It’s called SOBI, short for social bicycles and it’s the name of Hamilton’s bike share program.

For 85 dollars a year or by paying an hourly rate, members can use any of the 750 bikes located at stations across the city.

Crews began rolling out the bike share program today — an odd site given it is the middle of January. But city staff say the timing is intentional.

Peter Topalovic: “This is our winter test. Actual launch date is March 20. We need some time to understand how these bikes are going to operate on the road before we get to launch. We are launching a hundred of the 750 bikes so it’s a very small number and we’re letting people know that this is a test phase so they can try out the bikes that they like.

All of the smart bikes are equipped with GPS tracking systems and all are designed to be ridden 12 months of the year.

Chelsea Cox is with SOBI Hamilton: “There is a drive shaft so everything is well sealed, sturdy, large tires good brakes they operate well in a Hamilton winter.

As for liability, it’s covered.

Chelsea Cox: “Our organization SOBI has liability insurance for anything that might come up as well as the city and social bicycles.”

As for how many people have already signed on to SOBI, well they are not releasing those numbers yet, but stated they have hundreds of members. They also said with the announcement today of the trial run, social media was very active.

Chelsea Cox: “A lot of excitement I think a lot of curiousity who maybe haven’t used systems before in other cities and they want to see how it works and check it out.”

To check out SOBI or purchase a membership visit their website.