Midwest BikeShare, based in Milwaukee, has been awarded a $45,000 grant by the Funder’s Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities to advance the planning, installation and oversight of shared bicycle kiosks throughout Milwaukee.
The nonprofit organization was chosen as one of six recipient groups across the country focusing on enhancing community sustainability initiatives.
Midwest BikeShare has received additional financial support from The Brico Fund in Milwaukee and corporations that are matching the grant. Funding for the nonprofit currently sits at about $500,000, one-third of the funding needed to create a bike share program.
“To be recognized by national funders and to receive strong, cross-sector local commitment from The Brico Fund, Spirit of Milwaukee, the City of Milwaukee and our leading corporate partners underscores the compelling case being made to bring bike sharing to Milwaukee,” said Barry Mainwood, cofounder of Midwest BikeShare. “We believe a bike share program in Milwaukee will get more people outdoors to be active, enjoy our beautiful parks and roads, and ultimately makes the community stronger. We’re thrilled with the progress we’ve made so far.”
Midwest BikeShare plans to establish 25 bike rental kiosks with at least 250 bike share bikes in the city by this summer. Through the bike share program, individuals can rent a bike from any self-service kiosk and drop it off at any other kiosk location.
The nonprofit has been granted formal adoption through a Milwaukee Common Council resolution approved by Mayor Tom Barrett and is working in partnership with the city’s Office of Environmental Sustainability.
“For the city of Milwaukee to continue to grow and be a destination for families, events and employers, we need programs like BikeShare that allow more people to enjoy our amazing city on bikes,” Barrett said. “The City of Milwaukee is thrilled to work with the visionary folks at Midwest BikeShare to bring the concept here, and we’re even more excited to see the community’s financial support behind the program.”
