Letter: City should subsidize Biki Bikeshare service

I am writing in regards to City Council Resolution 19-204 (“Honolulu’s first bikeshare business raises fares,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 27). Biki Bikeshare is a wonderful and needed alternative to vehicular transportation in Honolulu. I am an avid user myself.

It would be a grave mistake to penalize this nascent service by requiring it to pay a lease for city property. We are all owners of this City and County property. As a taxpaying citizen, I do not support this effort. The city should willingly subsidize alternative transportation as a means to help alleviate heavy traffic and dependence on gas vehicles.

We should not starve out this transportation alternative by making them pay leases on city space. It’s an investment for the city and not a money-making scheme. Additionally, Biki is still repaying its startup costs and cannot afford to enter into leases at this point and until their startup costs are repaid.

Brian Huffman

Makiki

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