Suffolk County Kick Starts New Bikesharing Plan

It may soon get a lot easier to get around Suffolk County, as County Executive Steve Bellone announced plans to kick off a regional bikeshare program.

On Thursday, Bellone announced that the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning issued a request for information on "best practices, cost estimates, and keys to implementation and operation" in relation to a bikeshare program.

A bikeshare system serve as a boon to tourism and mean improved transportation options for both visitors and residents, Bellone said.

“We view bike-sharing as a win-win that provides greater tourism and economic development while providing a healthy alternative that ultimately reduces automobile emissions," Bellone said. "This latest initiative ensures that Suffolk County remains a leader in embracing cutting edge transportation alternatives that better connect residents to our vibrant downtowns.”

Benefits of the program include extending the reach of the transit network by providing last-mile connectivity between transit stops and popular destinations; supporting a "park once" approach for cars where appropriate; decreasing the use of the cars as the main mode of transportation; encouraging a more active lifestyle; and establishing a stronger bicycle network in Suffolk County, complete with new bike lanes and supporting infrastructure, Bellone said.

The proposed bike share program ties in to Bellone's Connect Long Island plan, which spotlights development around transit hubs, investment in enhancements to existing mass transit infrastructure, and implementation of new rapid transit systems to create a healthy transit network and connect regional assets and downtowns, he said.

As it stands, in Suffolk County, many downtowns, train stations, and recreational assets such as parks and waterfronts are separated from each other by a distance that makes walkability difficult.

But a bikeshare program can help to overcome those challenges, proponents of the plan said.

Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., President of Stony Brook University said the university launched the "Wolf Ride" bikeshare program in 2013 for students, faculty and staff. The program, he said, is "effectively reducing our carbon footprint. It has grown in popularity and usage over time and I suspect the residents of our region will respond to the county's program with similar enthusiasm.”

Nicholas Palumbo, executive director of sustainability programs at Suffolk County Community College agreed. “Bike sharing systems are proliferating around the world because they represent a low-cost, environmentally friendly, active transportation option. Bringing bikeshare to Long Island would be a healthy and fun quality of life enhancement for many local communities," he said.

Palumbo presented the bikeshare plan to the Southold town board on Tuesday; at that work session, a plan for ridesharing was also discussed.

Patch file photo by Lisa Finn.

Video courtesy of YouTube.