DACK Bike project moves forward, stalls

SARANAC LAKE | DACK Bikes, a start-up company developed by Calli Shelton and Saranac Lake Vacation Rentals, has purchased 25 bikes and the attendant rack docking systems, which use an app and a QR code for public rentals. "Riders can rent bikes by the hour by checking out and returning them to any docking station around town using an app on their smartphones," DACK bikes said in a news release. The company hoped to install the racks at three commercial properties in Saranac Lake and started to place a rack at one location but found out they need village project review. Bike share systems are gaining popularity throughout the U.S. and park bikes at a series of strategically located docking stations, or hubs, fitted with electronic locks. The hubs are mounted to a concrete or steel base. Riders looking to rent have to download an app to register and pay for use of a DACK Bike. Once the App unlocks it, the clock starts. DACK Bikes is using the Movatic App for the lock and rental system. "The service has proven to be popular in many areas of the country because it allows riders to get quickly from Point A to Point B, and is intended for short trips within the village," Shelton said. Three sites initially planned by Shelton for the docks are at the Waterfront Lodge, Nori's, and Best Western. STALLED INSTALLATION DACK Bikes was asked to stop installation July 27 by Saranac Lake's Development Code Administrator Paul Paul Blaine, who said they can't proceed further without a complete plan application and review by the Village of Saranac Lake. Shelton said she was not informed about the need for project review and that DACK Bikes had contacted the village about the bike share and heard nothing further. DACK Bikes started its install with 25 bikes and 30 docking stations. The cost for rental is not included on the DACK Bikes web page, but CitiShare in New York City with 600 stations and 10,000 bikes, offers incremental membership purchases that start at $9.95 for a total of 24 hours. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), with a bike share in the Albany area, charges a base rate of $5 per hour with numerous options for monthly use. Both are municipally funded. CDTA expanded its bike-share into Glens Falls in May this year, adding docking hubs in Queensbury and Lake George. The bright green and purple bikes are docked at racks strategically mapped throughout the region. Bike rentals in the Glens Falls area can be purchased for 8 cents per minute, just under $5 per hour, with flat rate options monthly. The bikes are available from April 1 until Nov. 30 in the Capital TA system, which has 500 bikes and 85 hubs. PROJECT NARRATIVE The Sun contacted Blaine at the Village of Saranac Lake code office and asked what development regulations might require. He said DACK Bikes did reach out to the code office. "I asked them initially for a narrative describing the scope of their plan, but hadn't received any further information. "I noticed yesterday that they were being installed already at one of the hotels," he said on Wednesday. Blaine said he did speak with the hotel's general manager and advised them to stop installing the bike hub. "I still don't know truthfully what the scope of their project is. "In our code, there is the need to review any material changes of use to a property (such as a parking lot or walkway). "In my opinion, they are probably going to need approvals for the bike racks. I really don't know where they're going to put them, I haven't seen the plans, but if it creates a change-of-use on a property that could involve ingress or egress to traffic, we need to review it. It might seem to be a little burdensome, but really, it's about safety." Blaine says he believes the bike share would be a great fit for Saranac Lake. "Our obligation is to make sure these properties are safe." The timeline for an installation could draw out into September. Any application for planning review has a two-week public notice period and the application has to be deemed complete before it could go to the planning board. A special meeting is a possibility, Blaine said. "We're here to be helpful. Hopefully, we can help them through it and get the bikes operating soon."

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DACK Bike project moves forward, stalls

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