A LimeBike awaits its next rider in downtown Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

A LimeBike awaits its next rider in downtown Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Seattle makes bike-share program official

The proposal allows about 20,000 bikes. 1 vendor has said it will apply for a permit.

  • By Wire Service
  • Monday, July 30, 2018 6:38pm
  • Northwest

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Seattle city leaders have decided to expand a bike-share program that allows people to rent and leave a bike anywhere in the city.

The City Council on Monday unanimously passed legislation that makes permanent a one-year pilot program started last summer.

Under the legislation, the city plans to charge up to four bike-share companies $250,000 a year for a permit for about 5,000 bikes each.

The expected $1 million in annual revenue from the permit costs is slated for building parking corrals and for administrative costs.

Of the three vendors — Spin, LimeBike and Ofo — participating in the pilot program, only Limebike has said it will apply for the permit.

Ofo said Monday it would leave Seattle while Spin hasn’t responded to messages seeking comment.

Supporters say the program adds transportation choices and reduces congestion. Critics have complained about the bikes blocking sidewalks.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Northwest

Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to lawmakers and other officials at the state Capitol on Jan. 15 during his inaugural address. Throughout the legislative session, Ferguson indicated he would support legislation to cap rent increases, but he never voiced public support for the bill.
Behind the scenes, Ferguson backed bill to cap rent increases for months

The governor finally voiced support publicly for the legislation on Wednesday after a lawmaker shared information about his views.

Members of the Washington Public Employees Association will go without a wage hike for a year. They turned down a contract last fall. They eventually ratified a new deal in March, lawmakers chose not to fund it in the budget. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
Thousands of Washington state workers lose out on wage hikes

They rejected a new contract last fall. They approved one in recent weeks, but lawmakers said it arrived too late to be funded in the budget.

A few significant tax bills form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would generate the revenue needed to erase a chunk of a shortfall Ferguson has pegged at $16 billion over the next four fiscal years. The tax package is expected to net around $9.4 billion over that time. (Stock photo)
Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget

Business tax hikes make up more than half of the roughly $9 billion package, which still needs a sign-off from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Lawmakers on the Senate floor ahead of adjourning on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington lawmakers close out session, sending budgets to governor

Their plans combine cuts with billions in new taxes to solve a shortfall. It’ll now be up to Gov. Bob Ferguson to decide what will become law.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
WA lawmakers shift approach on closing center for people with disabilities

A highly contested bill around the closure of a residential center for… Continue reading

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

SciTechDaily.com New research on the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows it has a segmented fault structure, impacting earthquake predictions and preparedness strategies, potentially affecting building codes in vulnerable areas like Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
A big Pacific Northwest quake could cause land to sink in minutes

and shaking… Continue reading

Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, speaks on the House floor in an undated photo. He was among the Republicans who walked out of a House Appropriations Committee meeting this week in protest of a bill that would close a facility in Pierce County for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)
Republicans walk out after WA House committee votes to close center for people with disabilities

Those supporting the closure say that the Rainier School has a troubled record and is far more expensive than other options.

Cherry blossoms in bloom at the Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Democrats in Washington Legislature wrap up budget negotiations

Democratic budget writers are done hashing out details on a new two-year… Continue reading

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard Gov. Bob Ferguson signing Senate Bill 5480, a bill that would exempt medical debt from credit reports, on Tuesday.
WA bill to keep medical debt off credit reports signed into law

Washingtonians’ medical debt will not be included in their credit reports, under… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.