Council signals intent to support multi-year Red Bike funding plan, ties city support to partner commitments

Council member Mark Jeffries introduced a resolution Feb. 23 expressing Cincinnati City Council's intent to support a three-year funding plan for Cincinnati Red Bike and to list the support as a budget priority. The resolution would make the city's $125,000-a-year commitment for calendar years 2025, 2026 and 2027 contingent on parallel funding and governance changes by partners.

Jeffries said the proposed "strengthen and sustain" plan spreads support among multiple partners after Red Bike's board previously moved to dissolve the system. He told council the plan relies on participation from Metro, Northern Kentucky partners, foundations and private sponsorships; "it only proceeds if all the other partners are in," he said during his remarks. Jeffries also described consultant findings that Red Bike operates within national efficiency benchmarks and provides critical transportation for low-income residents via the City's Go program.

Why this matters: Jeffries told the Committee on Environment, Infrastructure and mobility that Red Bike's top stations for Go program users include the shelter house, Kroger and the library, indicating the system is used for grocery and service trips as well as commuting. Council members said preserving the system would maintain an affordable, low-carbon transportation option and support last-mile connections to Metro transit.

The resolution ties city support to several conditions: a restructuring of Red Bike's board to include regional partners and an administration appointee (not from council), confirmed commitments from Metro and Northern Kentucky, pursuit of private sponsorships to reduce public obligations, and placement of the funding in the city budget as a priority. Jeffries said Metro had already passed a similar resolution and that Northern Kentucky partners had committed to a 15 percent share, with additional foundation support under negotiation.

Council discussion was brief and supportive. A council member praised Jeffries for moving quickly to coordinate partners when Red Bike faced closure; the council adopted the resolution by unanimous roll call. Doug McClintock of Red Bike was present in the chamber, according to Jeffries' remarks, and council asked the administration and Red Bike to continue negotiating the board and funding changes before final budget action.

The vote does not appropriate funds immediately; Jeffries said the commitment will be listed as a budget priority and will only be funded if the stated partner conditions are met.