KCTV 5Bicycle sharing program needs a little financial boost before taking to the streets

They are seen in cities all across the country – bicycle sharing programs. They're designed to allow a person to travel short distances without having to flag down a cab or pay for parking.

Now, the metro area will soon have a similar system in place but, supporters first have a lot of fundraising to do.

It was a big pedal forward for bike riders in KCMO when the city council approved a resolution last week creating the area's first bicycle sharing program.

"Twenty stations and 200 bicycles by the All-Star game," said Sarah Shipley with BikeShareKC.

Shipley works for one of the organizations spearheading the effort.

For $60 a month or $5 a day, customers can ditch the car keys and rent a bike from stations.

When BikeShareKC is up and running a person should be able to come to the Power and Light District for some lunch, check out a bike, take a ride to the River Market area to buy some groceries and then drop off the bike.

But before this two-wheeled idea can take off, there's still a lot of work to do. BikeShareKC is getting access to public bike trails, but they aren't getting any taxpayer funding.

Shipley said the organization has to raise about $2 million so they can start installing the bike stations.

"It is a tall hurdle, but it's not something we can't achieve. I think this is something the city needs and we can do it," she said.

"We are really excited about this program," said Aaron Bartlett.

Bartlett, with the Mid-America Regional Council, said a program like this one will get a lot of support from all across the city.

"It does lots of things for people. You can reduce your fuel costs, you can get fit and feel good about protecting the environment," he said.

While the program will make use of nearly all existing bike trails in the metro, they're also in the process of mapping out and developing additional trails city-wide.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City is also a main supporter of the project. They've worked closely with Mayor Sly James and Councilwoman Jan Marcason. While Marcason wasn't available for an on-camera interview, she offered praise for the program saying.

"BikeShareKC will offer Kansas City a wonderful form of alternative transportation. I commend Blue KC for taking the lead in providing startup funding and in spearheading fundraising for this effort. My colleagues and I will assure cooperation from all city departments in the implementation of BikeShareKC."

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