St. Augustine is one step closer toward bike share program

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — For the first time, the city of St. Augustine is working to bring a bike share program to the busy tourist area by the end of the summer.

Last week, the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) issued an opinion of appropriateness to the city, which approved the design of signage and locations for the first phase of the docking stations for bikes.

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The plan includes nearly a dozen locations around town:

• Visitor Information Center
• City Hall
• Municipal Marina
• Plaza de la Constitución
• Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center
• West King Street Business District
• Uptown Business District
• Near the intersection of Cordova Street and Hypolita Street
• Near the intersection of Anastasia Boulevard and Arredondo Avenue
• Near the intersection of Sevilla Street and Valencia Street
• Flagler College's dormitories on Malaga Street

“I would love that; then I wouldn’t have to bring my own,” parent Jody Kelly said. “There’s a lot of walking so the bicycles are really good.”

Users will need to use a smartphone app to sign up and use the program. The city said each bike is GPS monitored, tracking activity on the app.

Action News Jax reached out to the city to learn what company administers the program and possible prices, but have not heard back yet.

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One woman visiting her family in St. Augustine, Jessica Stoja, said she lives in Chicago and uses a similar bike share program there. She said it’s very popular, and sees fewer accidents compared with rentable electronic scooters.

“You have to actually return it," she said," otherwise you get charged for the bike if you don’t return it to the place it’s supposed to go.”

Next, the city will need to get a certificate of appropriateness from HARB.

City officials are hoping to launch the program by the beginning of September.

Cox Media Group