Majority In Kirkland Support Bike Share: Survey

KIRKLAND, WA - A majority of about 1,000 Kirkland residents who responded to survey about bringing a bike share program to the city are in favor of the idea, according to the results.

Kirkland asked residents what they thought about a one-year bike share pilot. In addition to being largely in favor, about 44 percent of respondents said they would frequently use a bike share. Residents also picked North Kirkland as the part of the city where bikes would be most useful.

Bike share has been available in Seattle for several years. Right now, you can find green LimeBikes or Uber's red JUMP bikes on just about every corner. The bikes can be rented with a smartphone, and cost about $1 to unlock and 10 cents a minute to ride. All bikes in the area will soon be battery powered (and all JUMP bikes already are) to help riders get up hills.

The survey showed that Kirkland residents think the bikes will help reduce traffic, but did express concerns the bikes could become an eyesore.

Here are some key answers from the survey:

What are your initial thoughts on regulating bike share to operate in Kirkland for a one-year pilot?

• Support: 584 votes, 64 percent
• Oppose: 263 votes, 28.8 percent
• Not sure: 66 votes, 7.2 percent
• Total: 913 votes

Have you ridden a bikeshare bike locally or somewhere else?

• No: 639 votes, 70.4 percent
• Yes: 269 votes, 29.6 percent

How likely is it you or someone in your household would use bike share in Kirkland?

• Very or somewhat likely: 405 votes, 44.4 percent
• Very or somewhat unlikely or wouldn't: 481 votes, 52.7 percent
• Not sure: 26 votes, 2.9 percent

Read the fully survey analysis here.