Like several cities around the country, Austin is going to start a new biking program that gives you more freedom. The concept is simple: you can pick up a bike and leave it where you want.
Dockless bike share companies have popped up all over the country over the past several years and after an unsuccessful first introduction in the Austin region, both the city of Austin transportation department and the city of San Marcos/Texas State University have signaled that they are ready for their reintroduction into the region. So what is a dockless bike share and can it change the way we commute?
As the name suggests, a dockless bike share does not require a docking station. Dockless bikes are tracked using GPS chips and can be locked or unlock can be using a smartphone app. Renting the bikes are typically pretty low-cost, in the range of $1 per hour, convenient for short trips – especially for downtown or campus trips, and easy to use. A great example is using a dockless bike to fill the “last-mile” gap between your destination and a transportation alternative like a transit stop.
Dockless bike shares can be a great way for you to travel more sustainably; however, a number of challenges should be acknowledged. Misplaced bikes can be a major headache, from bikes being left on private property to the bikes taking up sidewalk space. Other concerns include making sure that there is a proper distribution of bikes in locations where riders can use them and the quality/reliability of the bikes.
For now, Austin and San Marcos are moving forward with one-year pilots to test dockless bike sharing and if all goes well this could be a permanent fixture in our region.
Learn how Carrie commutes smarter, helping our region reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions!
Carrie carpooling with her husband Andy
With no public transportation options between downtown and our home in western Travis County, my husband and I aim to carpool four days a week in an electric vehicle (Nissan Leaf), dropping off and picking up our kid at daycare together. Although my time in the car is slightly longer compared to driving myself, it gives us over an hour to discuss our week’s plans and priorities, so we never feel like time is wasted if we hit a traffic jam. If we run out of topics of conversation, I am lucky to be the only family member who doesn’t get carsick when reading, so as a passenger I can always use my phone to: get a head start on the workday by checking emails; download a book or magazine from the library for myself; or find interesting news items, and read them out loud for discussion. One of our challenges is also a benefit: we have to be much more organized in the mornings to ensure none of us are late, a goal we are mostly successful at despite none of us being morning-people. I’m so glad we’ve pushed ourselves to do this more often, thanks in large part to the City of Austin’s rewards for more frequent alternative commutes. – Carrie D.
Thanks Carrie, Commute Solutions loves that you are able to incorporate carpooling into your commuting behaviors and hope that your story will inspire others to give it a try.
persons 60 years or older residing within the Buda city limits.