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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Chattanooga’s bike share program must pull its own weight

photo Meghan Pittman bikes across the pedestrian bridge.

BIKE SHARE BUDGET

Expenses as of March 13:• Capital equipment: $992,962• Launch operations: $412,087• Ongoing operations: $350,320• Project administration: $155,000Revenues to date• Membership: $51,719• Advertising: $61,932• Total: $113,951Source: Chattanooga

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Chattanooga’s bike share program faces an uncertain future if it can’t earn enough to pay its bills.

Phillip Pugliese, the city’s bicycle coordinator, said this week a $2 million federal grant that launched the program will run out by the end of September, and Bike Chattanooga will have to be self-sufficient by then.

To date, the city has spent almost $2 million to buy the bikes, set up the stations, get the program going and pay one full-time and three part-time employees, Pugliese said.