Officials from the city Department of Transportation (DOT) presented a slideshow to Community Board 7’s Traffic & Transportation Committee explaining how the new dockless bike share pilot program will work.

Unlike the popular Citi Bike program that dominates Manhattan, the Bronx’s program will not include the bulky and space consuming docking stations. Instead, residents will use an app to unlock the bikes which will be parked on sidewalks.

Bikes will be available throughout Community Board’s 5 and 6, with a small part of the southern-most section of CB7 included. Although the bikes will be only available in the designated areas, bikers can ride anywhere as long as they return them within the boundaries.

The Fordham neighborhood was chosen because of its central location, according to David Arancio, director of community affairs and planning at DOT. “We wanted an area that is diverse and included a mix of schools, commercial districts, and residential buildings,” says Arancio.

The final boundaries have not been laid out by the city, so far. The DOT has fanned across the city to the relevant community boards to determine final boundaries and choose which bike sharing company will be assigned to the neighborhood. Ofo, a Chinese bike share company, is one of twelve vendors vying for a city contract. They charge riders $1 per hour without a membership.

By July, the city will begin phasing in the bikes.

But committee members worry the program could increase congestion. CB7 board member Yajaira Arias lives by Grand Concourse and 192nd Street and sees potential problems with parking bikes on sidewalks. “I know certain sections will be problematic. If you look at the buses, subways, merchants, and pedestrians that come together in my neighborhood, I know people will complain about adding bikes to sidewalks,” says Arias.

Whatever difficulties may arise from rolling out the program in the Bronx, Amril Hamer, Bronx Organizer of Transportation Alternatives, sees many more positive outcomes for residents. “The Bronx has some of the highest rates of obesity, asthma, diabetes, and hyper-tension in the country. Bike riding is a convenient way to get people to exercise,” says Hamer.

She also notes the program will offer an option for those who seek relief from delays on MTA subways and buses.

“Our data has shown that bike ridership has increased in the Bronx and we believe it has to do with frustration over worsening service problems on mass transit,” Hamer says.

Hamer is hopeful the bike sharing program will succeed in the Bronx. “Anytime we can get people up and moving, that’s a good thing,” says Hamer.