MARION — Town Planner Gil Hilario received the Selectmen’s approval to opt into a regional bike share program and to investigate more how the program might work in Marion. 

The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) will start and fund the bike share program, which will be open to any of the towns in the Southeast Region. Nearby towns who are current participants include Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Wareham, and Dartmouth. 

SRPEDD provides the shared bikes. Users unlock the bicycles with a smartphone app, and can return them either to bike stands, or leave them anywhere that is public, since the next user can locate the bikes using the app. 

At the Feb. 19 meeting, Town Administrator Paul Dawson noted that similar rentals have been very successful in Mattapoisett. 

One of the Selectmen countered, saying that Marion does not have bike trails, or great sidewalks where residents can use the bikes. 

“There’s definitely a growing demand for bike share programs. But the devil is in the details. Are we creating a nightmare with the calls and complaints we will get?” Dawson questioned.  

Hilario specified that if Marion opts into the program by Friday it can always choose to opt out before the bikes are delivered in May. But it is more difficult to get into the program after Friday. He stated that whichever company is selected when the project goes out to bid would be responsible for handling complaints. 

Selectman Randy Parker liked the idea, but was concerned with where bike racks might go, especially if they are placed in a parking spot. “Our parking, as you know, is limited,” he said. 

John Waterman suggested that since Marion can choose how many bikes and racks to start with, Hilario should look more into the project and revisit the issue at a later meeting. Waterman also suggested that Marion start small with the program, and add more bikes if they are popular.