Today, you can rent almost anything – from standard things such as a car, a place to live, furniture, tools or a handbag to unusual things such as caskets. In Indianapolis, you can add bicycle to the list.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc. recently opened the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare program with 250 bikes and 25 stations located primarily on or near the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick in downtown Indianapolis.
“It’s for people to get fit, an alternative form of transportation and a way people can enjoy the cultural trail,” said Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc.
Bikesharing is a transportation option designed for short trips. Those who want to take a spin on the cultural trail, downtown, or along certain parts of the Monon Trail can simply walk up to the kiosk, purchase your ride, select a bike from a state-of-the-art “B-station” docking system and start riding.
It comes with a lock so cyclists can securely “park” the bike while it’s not in use. The bikes fit both short and tall people, thanks to an adjustable seat post. A front and rear basket offers space for storing items. Other features include: fenders, skirt guards and chain guards to keep riders’ clothes clean; a bell; automatic lights and reflectors for safety; and three speeds. Riders are encouraged to provide their own helmet and other necessary safety gear.
Once you are done with your ride, simply dock the bike at any of the available stations.
Lori Miser rented a bike and took an enjoyable ride along the north end of the Canal Walk, Blackford and Michigan Streets on the IUPUI campus to Mass Avenue and back to the docking station along Walnut and Capitol streets.
“It was really fun. The bikes were sturdy and comfortable. I love it,” said Miser.
Bikes are available by purchasing a 24-hour pass for $8 that can be paid at a bikeshare station kiosk. Those who want to take full advantage of the Pacers Bikeshare program can buy an annual membership for $80 at pacersbikeshare.org. Annual members will also be able to track how many miles they ride as well as see how many calories they have burned while using bikeshare.
Bikes will be available from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The golden bikes are made by Trek Bicycle and the system equipment is provided by B-Cycle LLC, which has implemented bikeshare systems in more then 30 cities. This large network allows Pacers Bikeshare annual payees to use their membership in other cities without additional fees.
B-Cycle also has a phone app where riders can check docking stations prior to rides to ensure a bike will be available.
“We also have a team of bike balancers that will be monitoring the system from computers or out in the field. If they see a station filling up, they go and move bikes to stations that are low,” said Haley.
The bike equipment is funded by a grant given to the cultural trail by the U.S. Department of Transportation. And thanks to a large financial gift from the Herb Simon Family Foundation, Indy’s public bicycle-sharing system is named after the Indiana Pacers basketball team.
Not only is the Pacers Bikeshare program good for residents’ health, many believe it’s good for the city’s economy.
“The Cultural Trail is an incredible asset for our city, and the bikesharing program will make it even easier and more inviting for residents and visitors to experience all that we have to offer,” said Congressman André Carson. “I’m proud Indianapolis was able to secure $1 million in startup federal funding for this initiative to enhance healthy living and economic development in the core of our city.”
Many are excited that the Pacers Bikeshare program will aid in cutting down harmful emissions, make use of all the bike lanes that have been added to city streets and drive home the need for multiple forms of transportation in Indianapolis.
Commuter Connect, a rideshare service of Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority says, now people can ride IndyGo, Indy Express Bus or carpool to work, and then jump on a Pacers Bikeshare bike to get to a meeting, lunch or appointment that’s slightly more than walking distance away.
“Meetings, restaurants, retailers and more that might have seemed too far to walk in a limited time are now easily within reach,” said Lori Kaplan, Commuter Connect manager. “With quick access to Pacers Bikeshare bikes, I think downtown workers will see their definition of ‘accessible’ expand a lot.”
For more information, visit pacersbikeshare.org.
