Title
Resolution providing for an agreement or agreements with Bike Share Pittsburgh Inc. to provide annual POGOH bicycle share memberships to any City of Pittsburgh employee requesting one, and providing for the payment of the costs thereof, not to exceed Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000) over two years.
Body
WHEREAS, per the United States Department of Transportation, the transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, to make meaningful progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and further, to reduce congestion, enhance mobility justice, and improve public health, the City of Pittsburgh must encourage safe and reliable alternatives to single-occupancy car use; and,
WHEREAS, Bike Share Pittsburgh Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the POGOH system, formerly known as Healthy Ride, here in the City of Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, POGOH is expanding this summer and by July 2023, will boast a network of 60 station locations with 600 bicycles - 240 pedal bicycles and 360 electric-assist bicycles; and,
WHEREAS, POGOH prioritizes equity in its operations and is excited to bring additional stations to Hazelwood, Homewood, and the Hill District this year; and,
WHEREAS, 5% of all POGOH trips are taken by its Mobility Justice members who receive an annual membership at a deep discount; and,
WHEREAS, by 2024, POGOH aims for 20% of all trips on its network to be taken by Pittsburgh residents who qualify for government assistance; and,
WHEREAS, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and Duquesne Light Company, POGOH powers and charges electric-assist bicycles at 20 of its station locations, ensuring that fully charged e-assist bicycles exist across its network; and,
WHEREAS, by formalizing a partnership between POGOH and the City of Pittsburgh, all City employees will receive unlimited 30-minute trips without cost, on both electric-assist and traditional bicycles; and,
WHEREAS, this corporate partnership will send a clear signal that the City of Pittsburgh is committed to reducing car trips by offering its employees the option of taking free short POGOH trips; and,
WHEREAS, this corporate partnership will also send a clear signal that the City of Pittsburgh, in the spirit of its CityFit program, is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its employees while fostering a cleaner and greener work environment.
THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor and the Director of Human Resources and Civil Service, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, are hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Bike Share Pittsburgh Inc. to provide annual bicycle share memberships, which will include unlimited thirty (30) minute rides, to any City of Pittsburgh employee requesting one, and providing for the payment of the costs thereof, not to exceed Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00), chargeable to and payable from the following accounts, subject to Council appropriation in future budget years:
11101.109000.52.52111.2023 $17,500.00
11101.109000.52.52111.2024 $17,500.00
Section 2. Said agreement or agreements shall be in a form approved by the City Solicitor.