Five stories that have North Texas talking: Dallas has three new bike-sharing companies in the mix, but just one is local; Texas consumes the most energy in the U.S.; preview the Women Texas Film Festival; and more.
What a difference a summer makes. Dallas has at least two new bike-sharing companies in operation, and a third is on its way.
Before June, just 16 bikes limited to two docking stations were available to the public. They're evidence of a 2014 attempt funded by the Friends of Fair Park with $125,000 from the city to initiate a bike-sharing program in Dallas.
In early June, silver bikes with yellow wheels started appearing around downtown, Klyde Warren Park and other popular, public places. Garland-based VBikes stepped in without the city's permission, but riders quickly took to the bikes, and it seemed like bike-sharing was starting to get in gear in Dallas.
To participate, riders download the company’s app, use the GPS to locate a bike and pay a $99 refundable deposit. It’s a dollar an hour to ride, and you can leave it anywhere. The bikes have a locked back wheel when not in use.
Since then, bright orange competitors have appeared on the sidewalks, D Magazine reports. They belong to a San Francisco company called Spin. The process to use Spin is similar to VBikes. The main difference between the two: Spin doesn’t charge that $99 up front.
Another California outfit, LimeBike,announced Thursday it will launch a Dallas branch this month. The company will initially deploy bikes at partner business locations, and hopes to work with the city to expand in the future. [KERA News, D Magazine]
Some links have a pay wall or require a subscription.
- More than 10 percent of the nation’s energy is consumed in Texas. In fact, the state’s lead the country in energy consumption for 55 consecutive years. [Texas Monthly]
- A philosophy group is moving its conference from Denton to Boulder, Colorado. The reason? The slew of controversial laws passed in the 85th legislative session. [Inside Higher Ed]
- A Katy family was recently reunited with its beloved dog, Beau — more than three years after he went missing. [KHOU]
- This month, an entire festival of movies made by women is coming to Dallas. Preview the Women Texas Film Festival with artistic director Justina Walford. [Art&Seek]
The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state.Explore our archives here. And sign up forour weekly emailfor the North Texas news you need to know.
