Carrboro might look toward considering a bike share program after reviewing a UNC student research project that will be submitted to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday.
Graduate students enrolled in the PLAN 823 class spent their semester planning out how to place a successful bike share program allowing Carrboro citizens to travel to and around downtown Carrboro.
The students would be in charge of the study, but UNC Professor Daniel Rodríguez worked as their advisor to help them make key decisions.
"The idea of a bicycle sharing program has been talked about for several years," Rodríguez said. "A system, such as the one being considered, would be a boon for students."
Rodríguez said students would be able to use the proposed bike sharing system not only to move around all of campus but also downtown Chapel Hill and downtown Carrboro for little to no cost. He said its installation would cost even less than a single new bus.
But Rodríguez admits that hidden issues could arise.
"We also recommend other steps like seeking important community input," Rodríguez said.
The students will try to convince their client, Bergen Watterson, transportation planner for the town of Carrboro, that the bike share plan will have a positive impact on the city.
"The hope and expectation will be that it supports the local multi-modal transportation culture and enhances our status as a bicycle-friendly community," Watterson said.
