Executive Summary Leadership Cincinnati Class 34. Project: Cinci Bikes

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1 Executive Summary Leadership Cincinnati Class 34 Project: Cinci Bikes Team Members: Martha Schickledorrf, Jim Kee, Brian Sullivan, Nancy Strassel, Scott Isenhart, Valerie Landell Concept The Cinci Bikes project is an exciting, innovative approach that will bring vibrancy, economic development and healthy activity to Cincinnati. This project includes the implementation of bicycle rental kiosks at two locations: Fountain Square and Washington Park. Several other vibrant cities have initiated bike rental systems to enhance city activities, offer alternative transportation and promote healthy behaviors. Benefits Bicycles offer many benefits for both work and play. Downtown transportation can be both expensive and cumbersome often leading to limited exploration and desirable destinations that get overlooked. Bicycling tends to connect people and encourage further exploration of the city promoting an increase in activities. There are many hidden treasures throughout the city that many do not explore presently but would be highlighted on bicycle routes. Bicycles will connect the city to the public spaces and promote increased use and exposure of the city s amenities and at the same time promote economic development. The availability of bicycles will promote a healthy mode of activity while enabling exploration of the city by tourists, residents, and those from the suburbs that currently drive in and park for a single destination. Project This project proposes the implementation of two bicycle rental kiosks. The kiosks would be placed at Washington Park and Fountain Square, each with approximately 20 bikes available for rental. The kiosks will be fully automated, accepting credit card payment for rental and release of the bicycle from the kiosk. Bicycles can be returned at either location, and rental rate charged on credit card will be determined by time of return. These are two of the major public spaces in the city and initial conversations with the managing entity 3CDC indicate that they might like to have them there. Target Market The target market includes people who come in from out of town, park in the garages and want to explore the neighborhood, as well as people who live in the neighborhood who don t own a bike. It also targets those who do own a bike but may have guests in town who want to ride. Renters would be provided with a map of good routes and nearby locations. Neighborhood businesses could buy advertising space in the map, so that the bike traffic can benefit them economically and also serve as part of the incomeproducing model for the rental operator. Another piece of the puzzle that closely ties the success of the bike rental to the success of the neighborhood as a whole would be bike racks. These could be located in front of the businesses who Target Market

2 The target market includes people who come in from out of town, park in the garages and want to explore the neighborhood, as well as people who live in the neighborhood who don t own a bike. It also targets those who do own a bike but may have guests in town who want to ride. Renters would be provided with a map of good routes and nearby locations. Neighborhood businesses could buy advertising space in the map, so that the bike traffic can benefit them economically and also serve as part of the incomeproducing model for the rental operator. Another piece of the puzzle that closely ties the success of the bike rental to the success of the neighborhood as a whole would be bike racks. These could be located in front of the businesses advertise in the map. Comparison Cities Other major cities including Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, and Denver to name a few have found many benefits to the promotion of bicycles both from a health and a financial perspective. Although each city has developed unique models, targeting specific populations and developing business plans to address each city s culture, each has a kiosk rental system in place and has found the bicycle projects to be successful additions to their city. Successful Implementation Considerations for successful implementation include provisions for maintenance of both the bicycles and the kiosks. While the kiosks are automated, there will still be a need for safety inspections as well as the potential need to move bicycles from one kiosk to another based on location demand. Liability and insurance must also be taken into account. Marketing and suggested routes will be imperative for a successful Cinci Bikes project. Marketing the availability of bicycle rental with suggested routes and points of interest will promote increased use and interest. Marketing would be implemented through both brochures as well as leveraging the availability through the other projects throughout the city, e.g. Go Vibrant, the Riverfront Park Bike Center and the Ohio River Trail. Elements of a Bicycle Pod 1. KIOSK - Bright, visible, easy to use with a credit card. Rates posted on the kiosk. 2. BIKES - Bright and visible, branded like the kiosk. 3. HELMETS Typically provided by the rider. 4. ANNUAL MAP - Neighborhood businesses buy ads. 5. BIKE RACKS - Bright, visible, branded like the kiosk and the bikes, positioned near advertised businesses. Another way to make money would be ad space on the rack. They would be designed to accommodate this. 6. STRIPING - A wide green stripe painted on bike route streets. Presumably this would be done by the City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation.

3 Conclusion This project outlines a viable project concept that would provide value and vibrancy to the city. Whether the project is implemented through private funding or public collaboration, the project would promote healthy behaviors and increase exposure to the treasures tucked away within the city streets of Cincinnati. The capitalization costs of the bicycle kiosk project and the limited operational requirements make this a reasonable project that could be implemented quickly. To make this a viable a project champion would need to be identified to carry out the business plan. This would be an effective plan for an individual, or for a public or private/public service with additional revenues for the city. Potential project owner candidates would include bicycle shop owners, entrepreneurs, or city organizations. 06/11

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5 Vision: To make Cincinnati a more vibrant city in which to work and play. (Consistent with Agenda 360) Keep talented workers in the region and attract new ones Grow new jobs and retain existing jobs Provide economic opportunity and a good quality of life for everyone who calls the region home 1. Engage people in fun and healthy activities. Connect people Cool things to see and do Make healthy living easier Hidden treasures throughout the city that most do not explore 3. Connect downtown public spaces and increase use (potential to connect surrounding communities.) 4. Promote economic development 5. Provide an alternative to driving See more, do more 6. Increase talent attraction and retention to Cincinnati

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7 Project Scope To provide bike rental kiosks at Fountain Square and Washington Park. Kiosks will provide an automated rental process allowing user to rent and return bikes at either kiosk station. Credit Card payment accepted at Kiosk. Kiosk model fully automated with minimum staffing requirements Ability to be structured as public, private or public/private partnership.

8 Greater Cincinnati Bike Trails Cincinnati lags behind other mid-western cities in development of bike paths eg. Cincinnati 12 miles developed/ Columbus 56 miles, Indianapolis 31 miles developed. Vision and planning for bike paths making notable progress within the city. Inner city bike kiosks promote exposure to bicycling and the interest points in the city. Potential for connectivity to an extensive bicycling access throughout the region.

9 Bike Friendly City Comparisons 1. Minneapolis Bicycle model targets all demographics 2. Portland, Ore. Bicycle models targets tourists 3. Boston, MA. Bicycle model targets Business Professionals 4. Chicago, IL Bicycle model targets tourists 5. Denver, CO Targets healthy living/activity The McDonald's Cycle Center in Chicago's Millennium Park was a good model for what planners envisioned in Cincinnati encouraging a greater acceptance of cycling to work among the business community by offering convenient services for commuters.

10 Target Participation of Other Cities Minneapolis: All demographics (students, residents, tourists) Portland, OR: Tourists* Boston: Business professionals Chicago: Tourists Indianapolis: TBD (Program just beginning) * Most users are between (Portland Bureau of Transportation)

11 Snapshot of Programs Minneapolis: 65 locations 100,000 trips/yr Washington DC: 110 locations 300,000 trips in seven months Boston: 61 locations No data (but anticipate 100,000 trips/yr) Chicago: 30 bike locations

12 How Program is Funded Most average $5 a day Payment of either one-time fee or weekly, monthly or annual membership fee Supported in part by sponsorships e.g. Minneapolis: Blue Cross, Target, US Bank Advertising revenue on bikes, kiosks, and other locations

13 Cincinnati Infrastructure / Projects to Leverage 1. Riverfront Park Bike Center Chicago based Bike and Park will operate Bike, Mobility and Visitors Center in Cincinnati Riverfront Park, Set to open in the fall of 2011, Bike Center will have showers, lockers, bike repair and supplies and secure storage space for 150 bicycles.

14 Cincinnati Infrastructure / Projects to Leverage 2. Go Vibrant Go Active walking / running routes of 1, 2 and 3 miles Downtown Cincy Current focus on downtown routes that originate from Fountain Square and weekly Mon/Wed/Fri organized noon lunch time walks: Phase I: paper maps distributed at companies Phase II: physical markers in downtown marking routes Walking Clubs launched in Spring 11 Partnership of 40+ Cincinnati companies and organizations Potential opportunity to collaborate community efforts for healthy activities of walking and biking.

15 Cincinnati Infrastructure / Projects to Leverage 3. Ohio River Trail 16 mile trail from New Richmond to east of Cincinnati lead by OKI (Ohio, KY, IN Regional Council of Governments) for biking, jogging, in line skating, etc. Future connect west to Cincinnati Riverfront (1.9 mile gap) and a northern spur (5 mile gap) to connect to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Currently connects to Lunken Airport Bike Path. Ohio River Trail is part of 320 mile Ohio to Erie Trail (78% complete to date) Greater Cincinnati & NKY has currently 120 miles of bike trails with 202 more bike trail miles planned.

16 Cincinnati Infrastructure / Projects to Leverage 4. Sharon Woods & Miami Whitewater Forest bike rentals Park visitors can enjoy cycling at the following paved, multi use trails: Little Miami Golf Center has three connectors to the Little Miami Scenic Trail at the Golf Center, Bass Island and Avoca Trailhead. Miami Whitewater Forest's Shaker Trace Trail is 7.8 miles. Armleder Park (1.9 miles) Sharon Woods (2.6), Winton Woods (2.6) have paved multi use trails for bike riding. Bicycles can be rented at Sharon Woods and Miami Whitewater Forest boathouses.

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19 Business Plan Pod 1: Square Costs: Kiosk with 21 bikes $77,700 General Liability Insurance ($2 million aggregate) $3,000/yr Advertising (media, signs, brochures) $3,000/yr Daily maintenance (by Riverfront operator) $3,500/yr Space Rental (by 3CDC) $ 0 Total First Year Cost $87,200 Revenue Seasonal X $69/member = $27,600 Daily Rentals: $10,800 Advertising revenue: $2,500 Total First Year Revenue $40,900

20 Pod II: One Washington Park Costs: Kiosk with 21 bikes $77,700 General Liability Insurance ($2 million aggregate) $3,000/yr Advertising (media, signs, brochures) $3,000/yr Daily maintenance (by Riverfront operator) $4,000/yr Space Rental (by 3CDC) $ 0 Total Cost for 2 nd Pod: $87,700 Revenue Seasonal X $69/member = $13,800 Daily Rentals: $21,600 Advertising revenue: $3,000 Total Revenue for 2 nd Pod: $38,400

21 $ Thousands 150 Season Costs: (cummulative) Revenue: (cummulative)

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23 Ref. Cincinnati Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II May 8, 2011 The Little Miami Trail through the Loveland Historic District has helped historic preservation and redevelopment there, says City Manager Tom Carroll.