A European-style public bike rental system is feasible here and would boost cycling while cutting air emissions, a report to TransLink says.

Consultants found downtown Vancouver would be the best initial fit for an automated self-serve system that would make thousands of bikes publicly available at convenient locations.

But they say the concept should be pursued in other parts of the region as well.

They rated Richmond Centre, North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay district, Burnaby's Metrotown and Edmonds areas, and New Westminster as promising candidate neighbourhoods, along with Vancouver's UBC and Joyce-Collingwood areas.

A public bicycle system "could be successful, well-used and financially viable in these areas," the feasibility report concludes, recommending detailed talks with local cities.

If approved, dozens of bike docking stations holding about 15 bikes each would be set up in the targeted areas – roughly one every 300 metres.

Users would swipe a smart card to unlock a bike, ride it and then drop it off at any docking station, not necessarily their start point.

The first 30 minutes of each trip would be free, encouraging heavy use for short hops and a steady flow of bikes being returned to stations.

The report suggests users be charged $50 to $80 per year for access ($10-15 per week or $2-3 per day for shorter terms).

That would cover at least 50 to 75 per cent of the annual operating costs – estimated at $4 to $10 million for the initial downtown-centred network, depending on whether it's limited to downtown only or widened as far as Alma Street, 16th Avenue and Commercial Drive.

The system would start with anywhere from 1,000 bikes at 70 stations to 3,800 bikes at 250 stations.

Start-up capital costs are estimated at $7.5 to $26.5 million, but contributions are predicted from senior governments and other sources.

The operating cost shortfall could be made up through advertising and sponsorship, the report says, or direct public subsidies.

Figures suggest the bigger the system, the more efficient it becomes.

Consultants used conservative sign-up estimates and based expenses on full-time unionized workers, although the report says much of the staff would likely be seasonal or part-time.

Such a system could be operated or even owned by a private firm through a public-private partnership, the report notes.

The idea faces hurdles.

Thieves, vandals, hackers and credit card fraudsters are considered surmountable challenges. TransLink could lose money if revenues fall short and face liability if users are hurt or killed.

And unlike Europe, helmet use is mandatory in B.C.

Systems to provide helmets are possible, but may be impractical.

"These raise issues of hygiene, proper sizing, tracking and liability due to unreported defective helmets," the report says, advising that users be told to bring their own helmets.

Local cities would have to provide land for the docking stations and agree to the use of outdoor advertising to help cover the costs – a possible sticking point.

Similar bike systems in European cities like Paris and Barcelona have "dramatically exceeded initial ridership projections," the TransLink report says.

Car trips in those urban cores fell five per cent and the share of trips taken by bike doubled within a year of launch, it says.

The wide availability of the bikes, their high visibility and ease of use "seem to trigger the same social change in transportation behaviour that brought recycling, once a fringe activity, into the mainstream."

The report estimates one in 10 public bike users in Metro Vancouver would be motorists who opt to park their cars. The resulting drop in vehicle use would eliminate one million kilometres travelled by car a year in the region.

Transit users switching to public bikes would account for half the trips taken. The report estimates the shift of 2.5 million transit trips per year would free up more transit capacity to attract motorists.

"These shifts will reduce auto congestion, air emissions, (greenhouse gas) emissions, noise and conserve energy," the report predicts.

A public bike system could be considered as early as next year for addition to TransLink's 10-year plan, it says.

TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said staff will pursue talks with interested cities.

Cycling advocates hope TransLink moves ahead with the system.

"We're fully supportive," said Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition spokesman Arno Schortinghuis. "We think it's going to be great for cycling."

Vancouver Coun. Peter Ladner said the bike system needs to connect well with buses and SkyTrain so it acts as an extension of the transit system.

"I'd like to see it get built," he said.

Public bike systems:

Paris, France

- 20,600 bicycles

- population: 2.1 million

- equivalent to one bike for every 104 residents

- city contracts out to operator JC Decaux

Lyon, France

- 4,000 bicycles

- population: 466,000

- equivalent to one bike per 117 residents

- city contracts to operator JC Decaux

Barcelona, Spain

- 6,000 bicycles

- population: 1.6 million

- equivalent to one bike per 268 residents

- City contracts operation to Clear Channel

Frankfurt, Germany

- 720 bicycles

- population: 653,000

- equivalent to one bike per 906 residents

- Run by federal agency subsidiary DB Rent

jnagel@surreyleader.com