Madison Bike-Sharing Program Grows As Industry Changes

Madison’s bike-sharing program is on target to record its highest annual ride total since selling its first ride more than six years ago.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that questions remain for Madison B-Cycle and other bike-sharing ventures about whether they should try to be privately run and profitable or operate like government-subsidized public transit.

The company’s executive director, Morgan Ramaker, said she’s expecting the company to log about 110,000 rides by the end of the year, up from more than 20,000 rides when the service began in 2011. The company has 44 stations and 350 bicycles in the city.

Despite the company’s growth, it still receives an annual subsidy from parent company Trek. The company receives revenue from user feeds, advertising and sponsorships.