Bike share program put on hold amid safety concerns

Jump bikes are seen in downtown Providence. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – The introduction of a bike share program in Pawtucket has been put on hold.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Wednesday that the Jump electric bike program will not begin this year. Jump is owned by ride-hailing service Uber.

Goncalves told WJAR -TV that Jump’s “focus at the moment is to address issues in Providence before moving to other markets in the area.”

The rental bikes were pulled from Providence on Aug. 22 following reports that the bikes were being misused.

Providence police said some people had found ways to bypass the bike’s security system and some teens were committing assaults, robberies and other crimes while riding Jump bikes.

Uber said Providence is the only city where this has been a widespread problem.

 

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