May 23, 2016
Philadelphia is preparing to host the inaugural forum to analyze the effects of bike sharing, Mayor Jim Kenney's Office announced Monday.
The Better Bike Share Conference is scheduled for June 23-24 at The Hub Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street in West Philadelphia.
The city, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials, and PeopleForBikes make up the Better Bike Share Partnership.
The event is designed for bike share system operators, transportation officials, and community-based organizations to discuss how bike share programs fit the needs of residents.
The announcement comes just over a month after the city celebrated the one-year anniversary of its bike share program with Indego.
“The city of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring equitable access to our Indego bike share system and all modes of transportation,” said Clarena Tolson, Philadelphia’s Deputy Managing Director for Transportation and Infrastructure. “Bike share has the potential to transform mobility, improve health outcomes and increase access to opportunity. It can only reach its full potential if it reaches people of all demographics and incomes.”
Attendees of the event are able to hear keynote speakers and panel discussions, as well as participate in workshops.
“I am honored and excited to speak at the Better Bike Share Conference in Philadelphia,” said Tamika Butler, executive director, the Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition. “This will be an innovative and thought-provoking conference. The Better Bike Share Conference will bring together [thoughtful] leaders from across the country to talk about the systematic inequities in our society and the importance of these inequities being at the center of bike share and bike advocacy.”
More than 100 attendees are expected for the event.
For more information, visit the Better Bike Share Conference website.
