MEMPHIS—Explore Bike Share, a nonprofit bringing a 60-station, 600-bike bike share system to Memphis this spring, has revealed its station location map and official system brand and website.

Explore Bike Share’s 60 stations span from Downtown, South Memphis, and Cooper Young to Orange Mound, Overton Square, and Crosstown. Locations have been determined based on multiple criteria, including solar power accessibility, density, proximity to other transit options, neighborhood usage, and ongoing community engagement efforts. Ongoing neighborhood conversations, as well as a digital effort in late 2017 to capture pins on an interactive map of Memphis, resulted in over 3,500 “pins” submitted by citizens for potential station locations.

“We’ve made an organizational commitment to create an equitable system that is affordable, available and sustainable,” said Trey Moore, Executive Director of Explore Bike Share. “While we believe this site map reflects our mission wholeheartedly, we’re intentionally installing a system with malleable components to allow for potential shifting within neighborhoods or intersections as needed. Therefore, if a station is best suited on the other side of the storefront or on an adjacent street, we’ll assess the data, listen to the community and reconfigure.”

The system is the first and largest of its kind in the nation, as Explore Bike Share’s manufacturing partner BCycle was selected by a community board of advisors in Memphis to launch the largest Dash system yet, fueled by solar power with forward-facing touchscreens, whose technology can capture data related to miles ridden, calories burned, and popular routes. The new technology allows for malleability both physically and geographically.

Another first for the bike share industry is Explore Bike Share’s two stations in West Memphis, Arkansas, making Explore Bike Share the first two-state Dash system in the country.

“We’ve felt the impact of bike traffic into West Memphis due to the connectivity of Big River Crossing, so we knew we needed to invest in this bike share system,” said Jim Jackson, Executive Director of the West Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Explore Bike Share has been identified as a national model for its equitable engagement prior to launch.

“Rather than simply putting bikes on the street and reacting, we’re proactively giving Memphians the opportunity to have ownership over these bikes and their locations,” said Sara Studdard, Community Engagement & Marketing Director. “They’re putting pins in a map, guiding our site planning practice, and even eagerly unboxing the bikes hours after arrival into the market. We’re grateful for the involvement from every kind of Memphian imaginable. This system truly is built for Memphis by Memphians.”

To implement the system itself, Explore Bike Share has hired a growing team of locally-hired bike technicians, led by new Bike Fleet Manager Jon Peg, who previously ran operations at Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op. Charence King an Orange Mound resident and volunteer with Explore Bike Share since 2015, has joined the team, along with Ellis Clemons from Advance Memphis.

The operations team is currently implementing technology as a result of over 300 community volunteers’ sign-ups to physically “unbox” the 600 box-shipment of bikes in February.

“Explore Bike Share’s tangible examples of community mobilization are a model for other organizations to follow,” said Steve Nash, Executive Director of Advance Memphis. “My forklift drivers were engaged to unload the bikes, and now our graduate Ellis has been hired full-time as a bike technician. Advance Memphis is honored to be involved—and we’re excited to get a bike share station across the street, too!”

“We are fortunate to have this team onboard to build and implement BCycle’s smart kit technology,” said Operations Director Rajah Brown. “We’ve been working every day in the warehouse to get these bikes fully equipped for ridership. Explore Bike Share is not just a transportation and tourism amenity—it is a fullyrunning business hiring local workforce.”

Explore Bike Share’s revenue relies on usage and sponsorship. Its membership costs are committed to being affordable for visitors and all Memphians whether through community partnerships or existing health programs. Membership options are as follows:

• Single Ride: $5
• Weekly Membership: $12
• Monthly Membership: $15
• Annual Membership: $120

Weekly, monthly and annual memberships offer users unlimited 60-minute rides from one station to another. If more than 60 minutes pass before the user docks their bike at a station, overtime usage fees will apply. However, users may dock from one station to the next to ensure their hourly allowance does not expire.

Membership will be offered closer to actual launch, but two payment opportunities are now live on the new website explorebikeshare.com: the “name on a bike” dedication and “Give Your Neighbor a Lift” donation opportunities.

For $500, one can dedicate a bike with a name of your choice (with a 25-character limit), to be printed and installed on a bike share bike’s front fork for all to see and appreciate. An one-year annual membership will be included in the transaction.

A “Give Your Neighbor a Lift” membership for $200 will support an annual membership for both yourself and a member of the Memphis community in need of greater transportation access. This missional model, thanks to the generosity of Memphians, will secure access to more citizens. Donors will receive a code to redeem membership when membership sign-ups become publicly available.

“We’ve said from day one that every Memphian deserves access to quality transportation options,” said Roshun Austin, Explore Bike Share board member and Executive Director of The Works CDC in South Memphis. “We’re all paying it forward with Explore Bike Share, whether through a ‘Give Your Neighbor a Lift’ donation, a new bike programming series around town, or simply advocacy for our organization.”

Explore Bike Share’s new look, which is now live on explorebikeshare.com and social media channels, brings a new color palette and brand elements of energy, spirit and ease. The headline, “It’s just like riding a bike,” reflects the approachability that this transportation amenity can offer Memphians and visitors, no matter the distance. Bikes, station kiosks, and other assets, branded by DCA, will be embedded in the market throughout implementation this Spring.

“When the effort was initiated three years ago, the name ‘Explore Bike Share’ was deliberately chosen not to bring bike share to Memphis, but rather to explore people’s thoughts and reactions for bike share’s potential success,” said Sara Studdard. “When the effort yielded a positive reaction, a 501(c)3 was established—and when discussion of system name came up, it was unanimously approved that EBS would be fantastic transition to the trade name. Now, Explore Bike Share has become a call to action for the consumer to see the city and explore Memphis via bike share.”

System sponsors’ brands will affect Explore Bike Share’s bike baskets, payment kiosks, and other physical and digital elements based on level of investment. Sponsors will be revealed at launch.

“While bike share is an incredible marketing tool recognized by leading national companies, it’s new to Memphis,” said Executive Director Trey Moore. “Nonetheless, we’re actively receiving calls from Memphis businesses across all levels who realize the overwhelming benefits of brand association with bike share, from HR and employee recruitment/retention to public relations and marketing exposure to over 11 million annual tourists as well as our citizens. We’re excited for all to illustrate their commitment to and benefit from this unique and transformational effort.”

Learn more at explorebikeshare.com 

 

ABOUT EXPLORE BIKE SHARE. Explore Bike Share is a Memphis 501(c)3 that is implementing a robust bike share system and transportation tool to advance the city on multiple fronts—including but not limited to transportation, tourism, health, environment, and culture—with access to as many Memphians as possible. Initially launching with a 600-bike system in Spring 2018, the system will expand to 900 bikes by 2019. For more information, visit explorebikeshare.com

Symposium to take place in Indianapolis April 30 and May 1

INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. today announced that it is hosting its first Indianapolis Cultural Trail Symposium presented by Rundell Ernstberger &Associates on April 30 and May 1, 2018.  The Cultural Trail Symposium will provide a deep dive into the planning, design, construction and management of the world renowned Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick. 

“The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has transformed the way communities around the world are approaching economic development, city planning, tourism and transportation infrastructure,” said Indianapolis Cultural Trail Executive Director, Kären Haley. “This symposium is a unique opportunity to learn how the Cultural Trail evolved from an idea to reality, our governance and sustainability model and the impact it has had the local community and Indianapolis economy.”

Registration is available online and early bird discounts are available.  The first of its kind symposium takes place in advance of the PlacesForBikes conference happening in Indianapolis later the same week. Hosting the symposium in advance of the PlacesForBikes Conference provides a unique opportunity for people from around the country to experience both opportunities during the same week.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail Symposium will start with a comprehensive, behind the scenes tour of the eight mile Trail on the afternoon of Monday, April 30 and will continue on Tuesday, May 1, 7:30am to 12:30p.m. at Cummins Inc. Global Distribution Headquarters, one of the newest buildings to be built along the Cultural Trail.   Participants may also take part in an optional tour of Cummins at the conclusion of the Symposium.

Speakers and panelists for the Indy Cultural Trail Symposium include:

                        Kären Haley, Executive Director, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. 

                        Brian Payne, President and CEO, Central Indiana Community Foundation

                        Lori Miser, former Director, City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works

                        Kevin Osborn, Principle, Rundell Ernstberger & Associates

                        Mindy Taylor Ross, Principle, Art Strategies

Full agenda including speakers and panelists is available online.

ABOUT INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL, INC.:  ICT is the world class leader in urban trails and linear parks and is committed to a sustainable funding model that ensures accessible connections for future generations on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail:  A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick. We enrich lives and connect people and places through dynamic and beautiful experiences, using the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Pacers Bikeshare program as a catalyst for economic growth. For more information visit IndyCulturalTrail.org, on Twitter @INCulturalTrail, Instagram @IndyCulturalTrail or facebook.com/indyculturaltrail.

ABOUT RUNDELL ERNSTBERGER & ASSOCIATES: REA is a multidisciplinary firm providing urban design, landscape architecture, planning, and civil engineering services focused on transformational site planning, design and placemaking solutions. For more information visit www.reasite.com, on Twitter @REA_Site, on Instagram @rundell.ernstberger, or facebook.com/rundellernstberger.


MEDIA CONTACT:
Kären Haley
Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. 
317-721-8010 (cell), khaley@indyculturaltrail.org

DENVER—Feb. 20, 2018—Denver B-cycle and Kaiser Permanente will celebrate the return of Kaiser Permanente’s Monday’s Motivation campaign in 2018, when the bike sharing system can be accessed without a charge on the last Monday of each month. The offer is open to all.
 
Riders who check out a bike on a Monday’s Motivation day should keep an eye out for “Blue Tickets” on select Kaiser Permanente-wrapped bikes. Each “Blue Ticket” will be redeemable for a prize.  There will also be one special “unicorn” bike sporting a Kaiser Permanente design and a unique blue metallic wrap, the only metallic bike in the system.
 
Kaiser Permanente & Denver B-cycle have set a goal to reach 5,000 complimentary trips in 2018—an estimated 20,743 miles of riding (based on average ridership data), an estimated 19,601 pounds of carbon emissions avoided, and an estimated 824,934 calories burned. Last year, the first year of Kaiser Permanente’s support of Monday’s Motivation, riders took 3,010 complimentary trips.
 
“These days provide a way for new riders to try our system and see how convenient and easy it is to use. Making Denver B-cycle part of your routines starts with circling a Monday on your calendar and trying it,” said Denver B-cycle executive director Nick Bohnenkamp. “The look of the wrapped bikes is great and we appreciate being a part of Kaiser Permanente’s vision in supporting health & transit in our city”.
 
The complimentary access passes are valid for 24 HR Kiosk purchases only. It is not valid for access passes purchased on DenverBcycle.com or on the BCycle App. All B-cycle riders will need to swipe a credit card to check out at a B-cycle kiosk, standard overtime fees will apply to trips over 30 minutes.
 
Riders who find a “Blue Ticket” will need to share a photo of themselves with their “Blue Ticket” and Kaiser Permanente wrapped B-cycle bike to redeem. There are three ways to redeem:

• Post your photo on Instagram and tag Denver B-cycle (@denverbcycle)
• Post your photo to Facebook and tag Denver B-cycle (@Bcycle.denver)
• Send your photo and contact information to info@denverbcycle.org.

The complimentary Mondays in 2018, thanks to Kaiser Permanente, are Feb. 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, June 25, July 30, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 26, and Dec. 31.



ABOUT DENVER BIKE SHARING

Denver B-cycle is presented by Kaiser Permanente in association with a variety of community sponsors. Denver B-cycle is owned and operated by Denver Bike Sharing, a charitable, non-profit organization. Denver Bike Sharing serves as a catalyst for a fundamental transformation by operating a bike sharing system in Denver to enhance mobility while promoting all aspects of sustainability: quality of life, equity, the environment, economic development, and public health. To learn more about Denver Bike Sharing, the owner and operator of Denver B-cycle, visit denver.bcycle.com or call 303-825-3325.
 
ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE COLORADO

Kaiser Permanente Colorado is the state’s largest nonprofit health plan, working to improve the lives and health of all Coloradans for 49 years. We are comprised of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado and the Colorado Permanente Medical Group—one of the state’s largest medical groups with more than 1,200 physicians. We provide comprehensive care for our 660,000 Kaiser Permanente Colorado members through 31 medical offices across the state—from Pueblo to Greeley and in Summit and Eagle counties. We are also committed to our social mission and in 2017, proudly directed more than $122 million to community benefit programs to improve the health of all Coloradans. For more Kaiser Permanente news, visit kp.org/share or follow us @kpcolorado or like us facebook.com/kpcolorado.

Media Contact:
Mark Stevens
mstevens@ecentral.com
720-328-5488 (office); 303-495-8699 (cell)

Partnership with University of Texas to pilot no-cost student memberships and campus area locations



AUSTIN- Austin B-cycle and the University of Texas at Austin launched an 18-month pilot test of bike share services on campus and in the West Campus neighborhood on Wednesday, February 14. This service expansion includes nine new Austin B-cycle station locations and a new no-cost membership for UT students.

“We are excited to partner with the University of Texas to provide students with an
affordable, easy way to get across campus as well as off-campus housing and downtown,” said Elliott McFadden, Executive Director of Austin B-cycle. “We have received a lot of interest from UT students and staff in more B-cycle locations to serve the campus area, and we are happy to meet that demand.”

UT students will be able to enroll online at UTbikeshare.com or through the B-Cycle app for a no-charge annual membership with Austin B-cycle. UT faculty and staff are eligible for a half-off the Local365 annual membership. Anyone with a B-Cycle membership is eligible for unlimited trips of up to an hour between stations as well as the B-connected program that recognizes memberships in other partner B-cycle systems including San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth.

“We are pleased to work with Austin B-cycle to test bike share on campus through August 2019 to see how this service will impact campus mobility,” said Bobby Stone, Director of UT Parking and Transportation Department.

The City of Austin, owner of the Austin B-Cycle system, will evaluate the pilot program to determine how it can serve as a model for increasing access to bike share for other colleges and universities elsewhere in the City.

“Improving access to cycling is an important part of the Austin Bicycle Plan, and Austin Bcycle is a critical tool in lowering barriers to riding a bike,” said Laura Dierenfield, the Active Transportation Manager at the City of Austin. “We see this B-cycle expansion as a key strategy in offering an affordable transportation option for students to get to work, school and career building opportunities.”

ABOUT AUSTIN B-CYCLE

Austin B-cycle is the bike share system for the City of Austin. It is a partnership between the City of Austin, the system owner, and Bike Share of Austin, the non-profit operator. Since its launch in 2013, Austin B-cycle has recorded 730,000 rider trips covering 2.1 million miles helping Austinites and visitors burn 87 million calories, offset 2 million pounds of carbon, and avoid over 165,000 car trips. With this expansion, the system grows from 54 stations and 435 bikes to 63 stations and 520 bikes. More info about the program at AustinBcycle.com.

I wanted to share some exciting news with you about changes made to the Fort Worth Bike Sharing system.

Fort Worth Bike Sharing is now offering unlimited one-hour rides to all customers who purchase 24-hour memberships. Previously, a 24-hour membership included unlimited rides of 30 minutes. The cost for the 24-hour membership remains the same at $8 plus tax, per bike. There will be no change to the monthly, semester or annual membership terms at this time. 

This change comes after considering customer feedback and research that shows the average trip time between stations to be 42 minutes. Allowing one-hour trips means customers will now feel less pressure to dock their bike within 30 minutes to avoid what used to be a $1.50 usage fee. 

It is important to remember that a 24-hour membership entitles the rider to multiple one-hour trips, not just one. The customer can RIDE, RETURN, REPEAT for 24 hours. Our fee structure is meant to encourage riders to dock their bike while not in use, thus sharing it with other members of the system. 

Fort Worth Bike Sharing invites the community to try out the new unlimited one-hour rides in February during its $1 Wednesday promotion. When using promo code 2222 at any station, 24-hour memberships will be just $1, plus tax every Wednesday in February.

ABOUT FORT WORTH BIKE SHARING:

Fort Worth Bike Sharing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for operating Fort Worth BCycle. Bike sharing is a mode of transportation based on shared use of public bicycles.

The concept began at the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA), which received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration to help establish the program.

Fort Worth Bike Sharing launched its system on April 22, 2013. Fort Worth Bike Sharing has 46 stations across Downtown, the Cultural District, the Trinity Trails, the Stockyards, Near Southside and on TCU’s campus. To see a full system map, visit www.fortworthbikesharing.org.

The mission of Fort Worth Bike Sharing is to enhance the community by providing an affordable, efficient, environmentally friendly bike share program that complements the existing public transportation system and provides residents and visitors a healthy, convenient way to move around Fort Worth.