CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to loan you a bike. But first, he wants to know where you want them docked.
In preparation for the launch of the citywide bike sharing program next spring, the Chicago Department of Transportation launched an interactive map where local residents can suggest locations they would be most likely to pick up and drop off bikes.
Although the department has not specified how many locations and bikes the program will launch this spring, the city plans to eventually grow the program to include 4,000 bikes at 400 stations.
Residents in Lakeview, for example, have already suggested 50 unique locations; eight have been supported by more than 25 locals each. The suggested bike sharing location at the Belmont "L" stop has racked up 48 supporters, including Ald. Tom Tunney (44th).
"Ald. Tunney wants to see bikes offered in some of the higher trafficked, more congested areas like near the Belmont CTA stop," said Erin Duffy, a spokeswoman for Tunney's office.
Duffy said Tunney is "receptive" to the program and hopes to create bike lanes on some of the main east-west throughways in Lakeview, like Diversey and Belmont.
"We look forward to feedback from the public and generating excitement for this new way of getting around Chicago," Gabe Klein, transportation commissioner, said in a written statement.
