Regions bike bikeshare.jpg

400 of these green-and-blue bikes will show up along streets of downtown Birmingham, Southside and Lakeview as part of the city's first public bikesharing program. The program is scheduled to begin this fall.

(AL.com / Mike D. Smith)

Corporate sponsors have been announced for Birmingham's bikesharing program, which will begin later this year.

Regions Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and the Alabama Power Foundation will provide corporate support for the program, organizers announced Friday morning.

Bikesharing allows participants to check out and return bicycles for short trips, either through an annual membership or with a credit card. The programs have gained popularity in the U.S. as an alternative to vehicular traffic in city centers.

Leroy Abrahams, North Central Alabama area president for Regions Bank, said the project is an exciting example of the kinds of collaboration developing in Birmingham.

"You're building an environment that attracts people who are interested in getting from one place to another," Abrahams said.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama contributed to the program because the company "saw bikeshare as a way for individuals to find a healthy choice, and it's an easy choice," company Vice President of Corporate Communications Koko Mackin said.

The program also fits with Alabama Power Foundation's search for energy alternatives, and one that will contribute "youth and vitality to the city," said Bobbie Knight, vice president of the Birmingham division for Alabama Power.

Birmingham's bikesharing program was made possible through a $2 million federal grant for congestion mitigation and air quality improvements.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell has been a fervent supporter of the project. The city provided the 20 percent match for the grant.

Assistance also came from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

All of the partners involved show the bikesharing program is a perfect example of public, private and non-profit entities working together said Dave Fleming, CEO for REV Birmingham, which will run the program.

The Birmingham network will feature 400 bikes spread among 40 docking stations across downtown Birmingham, the city's Southside and Lakeview areas.

Some of the bikes feature "electric-assist" technology, which helps riders pedal on challenging terrain.

These decals are being placed in certain areas in the proposed bikeshare area. They feature instructions for passersby to text their thoughts on locations for the program's kiosks.

Birmingham is regarded as the first public sharing program in the Western Hemisphere to feature the technology, organizers and company officials have said.

Company officials with Bewegen Technologies, Inc., who are providing the equipment for the 400-bike system.

Bewegen is working with Alabama contractors to build the docking kiosks for the Birmingham program, and has pledged to work with Alabama contractors to build kiosks for other programs across the U.S.

The program is scheduled to begin this fall.