Milwaukee announces pilot study for dockless bike sharing

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee City officials just announced a new pilot study on dockless bike sharing. Leaders held a press conference announcing the study from one of two new protected bike lanes in Milwaukee.

The goals of the pilot are to increase bike riders in Milwaukee to reduce car congestion, improve quality of life, expand bike sharing to all neighborhoods in the city and ensure public safety.

Milwaukee already has docked bike sharing programs like Bublr Bikes, but dockless bike sharing wouldn't have a specific location to return to the bike to and the bikes would be available to riders on a short term basis.

The dockless bike share system would be privately operated and run on a self-serve basis.

The pilot will run through December 31, 2019. A final report will be issued in 2020 to determine if Milwaukee should pursue licensing for companies wishing to offer dockless bike sharing.