Bikeshare growth has waxed and waned over the years. The first systems were dock-based and publicly-owned. Newer systems promised flexibility through dockless bikes at little to no public cost, backed in large part by tech-fueled venture capital. Nevertheless, the impact of systems vary greatly today in terms of cost, coverage, equipment availability, and compatibility. Uytae Lee of About Here digs into what sets apart North American bikeshare systems, particularly those in Canada. Spoiler alert: Seattle’s contemporary system doesn’t come out good on cost to riders!
Seattle Scootershare Ridership Continues to Surge, as Critics Make Regulatory Push
Seattle’s scootershare and bikeshare program continues to boom, setting a new ridership record in 2025. At the same time, the program could be at risk of falling victim to its own popularity, with increasing calls to beef up regulations, particularly on scooters.
