Updated January 18, 2018, 8:22 p.m.

UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Just like Uber has revolutionized the ride-sharing industry, The Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning is looking at a new model that has revolutionized the bike sharing industry.

RMAP has been looking at the feasibility of a bike sharing program in downtown Rockford since 2012 but now instead of the bike rack checkout model that you see in cities like Chicago, RMAP is now looking at a new model working with a private operator which comes at no cost to government or the community. The model would be cell phone-driven and it doesn't require a dock.

This modern approach has been successful in cities like Seattle and Washington, D.C. and on college campuses like Notre Dame.

"The bikes are self-contained the bikes can lock themselves. The bikes have their own GPS units and they no longer require being returned or check out from an actual physical docking station," says RMAP executive director Mike Dunn Jr.

Dunn Jr. says his hope is to have this new program available by this spring.

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Posted April 5, 2017, 3:57 p.m.

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Downtown Rockford is expecting a major inflow of tourists over the next few years with the UW Health Sports Factory and other proposed projects and now the city is trying to capitalize on this potential with a new path of traveling around town.

Downtown Rockford could soon be bustling like no one has ever seen before. To capitalize on the extra foot traffic, City Administrator Jim Ryan believes bike traffic could add a bigger boost.

"The idea is to create a little bit more of a tourism infrastructure so the idea of having a bike sharing program is something that we want to see if it's feasible," said Ryan.

That's why Rockford is looking into adding a bike share program similar to the one in Chicago called Divvy. There are stations set up with a row of bikes, you put your money in, and you get to ride around for a few hours.

The city recently commissioned the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning to conduct a feasibility study to find out how much it would cost, where it would work, and how it should be implemented.

"What it comes down to is funding mechanisms and available money for investment into the program," said RMAP Planner Colin Belle. "Generally, they are coordinated and planned by the city, but most of the investment is through local businesses such as health councils or hospitals."

Ryan says this program could also be taken advantage by preexisting events and attractions like city market and the Discovery Center.

"It's a great way to have people exposed to your city and we think it's an amenity that, over time, hopefully we can implement," Ryan said.

While tourists are expected to pour in starting this June with sports tournaments downtown, this program may not be seen for at least three years.

Ryan says the city is still unsure who would manage the bikes and where the stations would be placed and that is what they are trying to find out with this study.

Belle says looking through the surveys taken by local cyclists, the general reaction is positive.