Zyp BikeShare ends 5-year run, new shared-mobility vendor expected soon

Birmingham’s Zyp BikeShare program — the first electric-assist bike-sharing initiative in North America — came to an end Dec. 31 after a five-year run, but another city-approved vendor will step up soon to offer personal transportation options in the city, officials said.

Zyp, known for its colorful green bikes, was launched in 2015 by REV Birmingham with planning support from the city and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. The original plan called for the city to partner with Zyp for a five-year program.

The initiative proved that Birmingham, like an increasing number of other cities, would embrace bikeshare, REV Birmingham said.

About 43,000 users took more than 218,000 rides and traveled more than 252,000 miles around downtown Birmingham, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

“After five years of Zyp, we’re seeing more people than ever out of their cars, enjoying the city by bike, foot and more — a trend we hope to see continue,” said Keith Rawls, Zyp’s program director.

Zyp boosted the city’s cool factor, said David Fleming, REV Birmingham president and CEO.

“It got us a lot of positive attention as a city on the cutting edge, as far as the technology, and pointed to the progressiveness of Birmingham,” he said.

“People could look to Birmingham and see we were doing something completely innovative,” said City Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee.

The project also engendered discussion about how to move people around the city without cars, officials said.

The Birmingham City Council passed the “Complete Streets” ordinance in March 2018 with the goal of providing safe, convenient access for people who walk, ride bicycles or take public transportation.

In October, the council voted to fund a $500,000 on-demand microtransit pilot program for six months beginning in December.

Also in 2019, the RPCGB offered its B-Active plan to guide planning for safer routes for bicyclists and pedestrians in Jefferson and Shelby counties.

Privately owned bike and scooter companies have shown interest in offering their services in Birmingham, according to the release.

City officials are in negotiations with a vendor, with plans to have new shared-use mobility offerings available this spring.

Building on Zyp’s success, the city is “looking to transition to what shared-use, micro-mobility has become,” O’Quinn said.