Bike sharing faces problems in Montreal, controversy in New York

An extensive bike-sharing program is expected to be introduced soon in New York City, but The New York Times says difficulties have emerged — both in New York's planning and in the finances of a similar program in Montreal.

The Times says:

"The Bloomberg administration is only months away from rolling out an ambitious bike-share program intended eventually to rival ones in London, Paris and Washington, yet the proposal has already been plagued by questions of its viability.

"Community board members have raised concerns about whether bike-share kiosks and racks would encroach on precious sidewalk areas, or swallow parking spaces. Some of the more seasoned bike-share companies did not bid on the project.

" one of the two finalists vying to run the operation, has run into financial problems in Montreal. Government officials there eventually provided $108 million in financing to Alta’s partner, Public Bike System Company, in part to cover losses incurred by Bixi, the city’s bike-share program."

"Roger Plamondon, the board chairman of Public Bike System, said his company had the financial resources to come to New York, despite its issues in Montreal. In 2009, Bixi’s first year, the program lost $5.5 million; last year, it lost $7 million, Mr. Plamondon said."

" 'I can guarantee you we are not on the brink of bankruptcy,' he said.

"New York, according to The Times, has "called for a 30-station test program to start later this summer and for the official program, featuring 10,000 bicycles at 600 stations, to start on April 1, 2012."

"With each news conference and public event, the mayor’s enthusiasm has grown."Some community groups oppose the idea of placing bike kiosks on the city's sidewalks, especially in areas where the pavement is narrow.

"Sean Sweeney, who runs the and is chairman of the landmarks committee for Community Board 2, said he liked the idea of a bike-share program."“'We want our sidewalks back; the sidewalks in SoHo are not for sale,' Mr. Sweeney said. 'Our sidewalks are precious to us because they are so narrow.'”