WinFred MPO

Study Overview

Bike sharing in urban communities has grown exponentially in recent years as alternative from of transportation and economic development tool. A typical bike share program involves automated kiosks that allow users to rent a bicycle for a short period of time to travel throughout the city for a low cost. The bicycle can then be returned at any kiosk when the trip is over. Access to bikeshare can help to reduce traffic congestion, provide alternative transportation to work, act as a tourist attraction, increase access to economic opportunity and promote public health. The City of Winchester is interested in how a bike share system could benefit the community in a variety of ways including economic development and alternative modes of transportation in the downtown core.

At the beginning of 2020, Winchester-Frederick County MPO contracted with Racey Engineering of Luray and EPR-PC of Charlottesville to conduct a bikeshare feasibility study for the City of Winchester. The consulting team conducted a review of bikeshare systems operating in cities similar in size to Winchester, conducted a public survey, and held multiple stakeholder meetings in order to gain feedback and insight that fully expanded on and addressed the following:

  • Identify potential partner companies and/or pilot projects to implement and administer bikeshare programs
  • Provide options for funding schemes and program management
  • Inventory existing bike lanes and bike paths and identification of potential bike lanes and paths that would enhance the network connectivity
  • Establish performance goals and measurement tools
  • Analyze potential economic development impacts associated with bikesharing, including impacts on tourism and job accessibility
  • Develop a comprehensive logistical plan that includes:
    • Prime kiosk locations (particularly in the downtown core)
    • Fleet management
    • User safety requirements
    • Theft protection
    • Promotion
    • User fees
    • Develop options for a phased implementation strategy

In the Fall of 2020, the project team kicked of Phase II of the Bikeshare Study. The goal of Phase II was to review and implement Phase I recommendations and address barriers to bikeshare including bike safety concerns, public awareness of biking in the City, and the need for additional infrastructure. Phase II tasks included:

  • An in-depth analysis of bicycle safety, including previous academic research, and VDOT crash data in order to inform safety recommendations
  • A community survey was administered in the Spring of 2021 to gauge the public’s perception of bicycle safety in the City
  • Updates to the current Winchester-Frederick County Bike Map to reflect previous and planned changes, including the Green Circle Trail, and recommendations to update the existing bike network
  • Development of a bike safety marketing campaign

Establishment of a Bikeshare Taskforce to oversee project implementation

Benefits of Study Recommendations
    • Introduction of an affordable, green, and healthy transportation option for residents and visitors
    • Improved bike safety through network improvements
    • Improved bike safety awareness through a comprehensive marketing campaign
Study Timeline
  • Study kick-off meeting was held in February 2020
  • Stakeholder outreach meetings, held via Zoom, took place in April and early May of 2020
  • A public survey to gauge interest in bikeshare was administered through May and June of 2020
  • A preliminary report of Phase I finding and recommendations was delivered and presented to City Council in the summer of 2020. The preliminary report provided a foundation for the follow-up Phase II study.
  • Phase II kicked off in October of 2020
  • During the Winter of 2020, Consultants conducted a thorough review of existing bike safety literature, VDOT crash data, and the existing and planned bike network.
  • A public bike safety survey was administered in the spring of 2021
  • In May and June of 2021, Consultants developed recommendations based on previous research and survey responses and delivered a series of presentations to the following:
    • MPO Technical Advisory Committee
    • MPO Policy Board
    • City of Winchester Pedestrian and Economic Development Committee
  • In the summer of 2021, consultants developed a bike safety marketing campaign
  • Phase II is projected to wrap up by the end of 2021 with final desks that include:
    • Collaboration with the City’s Communication staff to finalize a bike safety marketing strategy consistent with the City’s ongoing marketing structure
    • Delivery of a final report that includes Phase I and Phase II findings and recommendations

Document Resources

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