SOUTH BEND — Getting from one place to another may become a little easier in South Bend. The city announced today they are going to start a Bike Share System.

If you have traveled in downtown South Bend, you know walking is easier then driving. Especially if you are staying in the area. But by next year, the city is hoping to offer another option.

“The city has hired Tool design group to assist us with a bike share visability and business plan that’s going to help guide us towards a future implementation of a bike share system,” said Chris Dressel, South Bend’s Bicycle Coordinator.

Over the next few months, the design group will find out how many bikes they need, where to put the stations and who will operate the program.

The Bike Share System will provide an easier transportation to those in downtown South Bend. Something the Bike Michiana Coalition says they’ve been waiting for.

“We’ve been working for a number of years on multiple different ways to encourage cycling both for transportation and recreation,” said Bike Michiana Coalition Boardmember Chris VandenBossche. “The changes that are being made with the Smart Streets are going to make it a viable proposition to have a bike share program because we’ll have places that people will feel comfortable biking around it.”

VandenBossche said the more cyclists the safer the area.

“You start having safety gains and fewer accidents,” said VandenBossche.

Dressel says they are looking at financial options through supporters and grants.

Since it is early in the process, Bike Share won’t be available until sometime next year.

Source: WSBT