Seattle Launches Bike-Sharing Program

You may have noticed docking stations like the one pictured above in Seattle’s many neighborhoods recently as the city prepared to launch its years-in-the-making bike-sharing system.  Pronto officially kicked off yesterday at 1:00pm, adding 500 green-and-blue bikes to the streets of Seattle. Rental kiosks are currently available in the University District, Eastlake, South Lake Union, Belltown, downtown, Pioneer Square, the International District and Capitol and First hills. Mayor Ed Murray is already asking the city council to allocate $600,000 to expand the program in lower income areas next year, including the Central District, Little Saigon, and Yesler Terrace.

Memberships for Pronto cost $85.00 a year, providing unlimited rides of up to 30 minutes; however, longer rides will cost more – up to an additional $77 for eight hours. One- and three-day passes are also available for $8 and $16, respectively. Helmets can be rented as well, with removable inserts that will be cleaned between use.

To find a Pronto station near you, check out this map. Smith Tower tenants are lucky to have three kiosks available to them within just a few blocks of the building!