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Getting from the Bastrop bus station near H-E-B to downtown could become easier through a proposed e-bike rental program.
In a nutshell
Bastrop City Council on July 14 supported a proposal from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System allowing CARTS to pursue funding for up to 15 e-bikes.
Under the approved plan, e-bike stations would be located at:
How it could work
During the meeting, CARTS Communications Director Dana Platt said the GPS-enabled bikes would be rented through an app and returned to designated stations.
The bikes would reach a maximum speed of 20 mph and an estimated range of 30-40 miles per charge.
“We’re not trying to recreate Austin’s bike-share system here in Bastrop,” Platt said. “We selected a Bastrop-sized solution.”
Platt said the bikes would provide “last-mile” transportation for riders arriving at the bus station who want to visit downtown without walking.
Council concerns
Council members raised concerns about rider safety and bikes being abandoned around downtown, where officials noted parking is already tight.
Council directed staff to require:
City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino recommended beginning with fewer bikes—five at each docking station, which council supported; however, the final fleet size and operating rules will return to council before implementation.
What you should know
The project is contingent upon CARTS receiving funding from a $47.9 million federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
The original 15-bike proposal estimates the bikes and docking stations would cost about $59,400—excluding installation, insurance and maintenance.
What to watch
If the project advances, ongoing software and connectivity per the original proposal would cost an estimated $2,340 annually, including:
Austin is selecting mobility-hub sites now for construction in 2027; however, an expected timeline for when Bastrop will learn whether its proposal is selected has not been announced.
