Using bicycling to maintain good health and help the environment has become much easier in Indianapolis.
Mayor Greg Ballard today was joined by officials with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and Bicycle Garage Indy and members of the public for the grand opening of and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Indy Bike Hub YMCA.
“The bike hub offers commuters and area residents alike a place to work out, relax, shop and store their bikes while working, shopping or doing business in Downtown Indianapolis,” said Mayor Ballard. “I am committed to making Indianapolis a more connected, bicycle-friendly city, and with this facility we take a big leap toward making it easier to use our city bike lanes and trails as an alternative form of transportation to work.”
The City of Indianapolis provided the nearly $1 million in funding to renovate the east wing of the City Market and construct the facility for use as a YMCA and full-service bike shop. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis will operate and manage the facility. ”We are grateful that the City of Indianapolis is entrusting the Y with such a unique and worthwhile project,” said Eric Ellsworth, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. “The opening of the Indy Bike Hub Y is the perfect opportunity to get the citizens of Indianapolis moving and to help us begin our journey in being one of the top 10 healthiest cities by 2025.
“ With its full-service bike shop sharing the first floor of the east wing with the YMCA, Bicycle Garage Indy offers cyclists traveling to or living in the area bicycle expertise on-site. ”Bicycle Garage Indy is thrilled to be involved with this project. We see this as an extension of our advocacy efforts to help create a bicycle-friendly Indianapolis. Providing a central location for bicycle commuters to park their bicycles and be able to meet and connect with each other will be a catalyst for Indianapolis to be regarded as a progressive community that will attract employers and employees. We look forward to serving bicyclists who work, live and visit downtown Indianapolis,” said Randy Clark, President and Founder of Bicycle Garage Indy. Amenities and programs of the Indy Bike Hub YMCA include:
Safe, secure, indoor bicycle parking for 148 bicycles
State-of-the-art wellness center featuring:
- Cardio equipment
- Strength equipment
- Free weight area
- Wellness coaching
- Group exercises such as yoga, Pilates and personal training
- Full service bike shop operated by Bicycle Garage Indy featuring repairs, accessories and rentals
- Wi-Fi Lounge
- Multi-purpose rooms offering aerobics, cycling, clinics and other exercise classes
- Locker rooms with expanded and vented lockers, steamers and hair dryers
- Free wallet/purse lockers
- Free towel service
- Convenient access to Indianapolis City Market shops and restaurants
The Indy Bike Hub YMCA is now open daily at the following times:
Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To purchase a membership, visit the new Indy Bike Hub YMCA during the above hours. Current YMCA members receive full use of the new Indy Bike Hub YMCA as part of their membership, and special bike locker/shower memberships and other options are available.
For more information about the Indy Bike Hub YMCA, call (317) 685-9705, visit the Indy Bike Hub YMCA Facebook page or visit any of the following web sites: www.indybikehub.org , www.indybikehubymca.org , and http://www.bgindy.com .
On Friday, Sept. 16, as part of the grand opening festivities, the Indy Bike Hub YMCA is hosting a Community Open House from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for residents to check out the facility and use the locker rooms, showers and fitness equipment for free.
Visitors will be required to fill out a brief form and show government-issued identification to use the facility that day. Indy Bike Hub YMCA and Bicycle Garage Indy encourage residents to bike to the Indy Bike Hub YMCA for work, errands or lunch and park their bikes for free. Regular bike commuters are encouraged to invite a co-worker, family member or friend for the open house to introduce them to the joys of bicycle commuting. New to commuting? Check out the how-to resource page at http://indybikehub.org/about/how-to-tips-pg62.htm
