No more SoBi bikes

Hamilton city council decided not to save the SoBi bike program.

The decision was made at Wednesday’s city council meeting after an 8 to 8 vote.

Ward 8 councilmen John-Paul Danko blasted the council’s decision to get rid of the bikes around the city in order to save $400,000, while straddling taxpayers with an extra $21 million for trash collection.

Virtual Council #7: The majority stuck #HamOnt taxpayers with $21M in extra costs on trash collection – then voted against $400k to save @SoBiHamilton from mothballs – at the same meeting…

But it's #ParamedicServicesWeek

Thank-you to our frontline @cityofhamilton paramedics! pic.twitter.com/1jNE29MVjV

— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) May 28, 2020

Danko says the decision makes him “embarrassed” to be a city council member, adding that council voted against saving the bikes out of spite.

I am so embarrassed to be a member of #HamOnt City Council right now.

Make no mistake – the majority of Council killed @SoBiHamilton out of pure spite. They voted it down because it is important to the wrong people – they know you care about it & know it would hurt.

Shameful.

— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) May 28, 2020

The SoBi bike program is set to end June 1, a year ahead of schedule, and because the city of Hamilton owns the bikes and the stations, they will now have to find a place to store them.