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Under Cover

If there is a symbol to represent East Dallas in 2018, it is a rental bike at White Rock Lake. For some they are a boon for cycling culture and its infrastructure, and for others, an eyesore without a viable business plan. City Councilman Philip Kingston agrees that there needs to be regulation, but says the city needs to understand how the bikes are being used before the city makes any changes. Meanwhile, Dallas Morning News contributor and East Dallas resident David Blewett doesn’t see the bikes becoming profitable, and wants to avoid a subsidy from the city to the companies to keep the bikes around.

This winter, the City Council’s Mobility Solutions, Infrastructure, and Sustainability Committee is analyzing the issue and will make recommendations to the full council about what they think should be done. It could mean specific docking stations, reduced numbers or limiting the total number of bikes in certain areas. Some neighbors would like to see them completely removed, while others see cars as the real problem, but chances are bike share is here to stay, even if there are fewer bikes around when it is all said and done. Read our rental bike coverage at lakewood.advocatemag.com.