The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission has approved a contract that would allow residents and visitors to rent bicycles through a local bike-share program.
At their regular meeting Wednesday afternoon, the commission approved a one-year exclusive contract with Skinny Labs Inc. DBA Spin. The company will provide 150 bicycles that could be checked out. Riders can download an app and pay as they ride - $1 for 30 minutes.
The bikes would be dockless, which means bicycles would not be docked at designated bike stations. Spin and the city can designate areas where they encourage people to park their GPS-equipped bikes, but Spin will send out staff at the end of every day to relocate all bikes back to the designated areas.
Spin will also offer an alternate payment method for people who do not have smartphones or credit cards.
The company needs about four weeks to implement the program.
Spin's bike-share program is at no cost to the city. Competing companies' proposals were priced $66,000-$90,000 annually. Its estimated cost is lower since Spin receives funding from private venture capital and operating venue from other markets.
The contract allows for either Spin or the city to opt out or renew for another year. Parks Director Todd Spalding added there will also be an education campaign to inform residents about what the program offers.
Also Wednesday, Spalding told commissioners that beginning Monday they will be doing striping at the recently revamped tennis courts at Lafayette and Dunklin streets to accommodate a growing number of Pickleball players. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Two or four players use paddles to hit a ball, similar to a Wiffle Ball, over a net. Local players at Wednesday's meeting said they have players of all age levels and skills participating. Spalding said future courts could come to Washington Park as well as McKay and Memorial parks.
The commission also approved $25,000 to add a second batting cage to the list of improvements taking place at Cosmo Field at Ellis Porter Riverside Park.
Commissioners were given a report at Wednesday's meeting about this past Sunday's Porchfest which was held along Capital Avenue. It was estimated 1,500 people came to the event and a similar event is being planned for October. Commissioners and parks officials said while they were very pleased with the success of the event, they wanted to make sure efforts continue to find funding so such events can continue to take place.