City to host first-ever bike share conference

On the heels of the one-year anniversary of Philadelphia’s Indego bike share program, the city of Philadelphia will host the first-ever Better Bike Share Conference at the end of next month to measure it’s success — or lack thereof.

From June 22 through 24, the Better Bike Share Conference will bring together system operators, city transportation officials, social justice advocates and bike sharing partners from coast to coast. Discussions will be based around how bike-sharing programs have cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, motorized traffic and public health in general.

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More than 100 people are expected to take part in the conference, put together by the city, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials and the nonprofit membership organization PeopleForBikes, based out of Boulder, Colorado.

Clarena Tolson, Philly’s deputy managing director for transportation and infrastructure, said the City of Brotherly Love is considered a national model for developing equitable transportation for all colors, creeds and races.

“Bike share has the potential to transform mobility, improve health outcomes and increase access to opportunity,” she said.

“It can only reach its full potential if it reaches people of all demographics and incomes.”

Registration for the Better Bike Share Conference is now open at bikeshareconference.org.