The contract is signed, after years of planning, Bikeshare is coming to Atlanta as part of an ambitious goal to double the number of bike commuters in the city by 2016.
"After years of planning and negotiations, city officials have signed contracts companies to launch the Atlanta Bike Share later this year," reports Max Blau.
"Mayor Kasim Reed today inked an agreement with several different companies that will help launch and operate the city's new bike share program. Five hundred bicycles will be available for short-term rentals and can be picked up and dropped up at 50 different rental stations."
The contract goes to Cycle Hop LLC, which operates bikeshare systems in Phoenix, Tampa, and Orlando. Cycle Hop "will work with bike technology company Social Bicycles, local transportation planning firm Center Forward, and local brand design firm Iconologic."
The Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development is currently deciding on the sites for the system's stations.
The ATL Urbanist blog adds some additional thoughts on the prospect of Atlanta achieving its goals of doubling the number of bike commuters by 2016. Infrastructure, of the variety proposed in the city's upcoming referendum [pdf], will be key, according to that post.
FULL STORY: Atlanta plans to launch its new bike share program in 2015

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service