More bike sharing opportunities are coming to Buffalo. Independent Health and Shared Mobility Inc. (SMI) have announced a partnership that will see 200 bikes hitting city streets this summer. The program, called ‘Reddy Bikeshare’ is a way to boost public transportation options, while promoting the healthy aspects of cycling. It’s also a great way to get people out exploring the city, and all of its wonderful new attributes.
Reddy Bikeshare is the perfect way for people to take advantages of all of the benefits of cycling, without owning a bike. At the same time, office workers can drive into the city, and then take a bike ride during lunch, or after work. Visitors to Buffalo can hop on a bike and return it at their leisure. There are tons of great benefits to bike share, and they are being rolled out in one giant wave this summer.
“This partnership will add to the growing bike culture and revolution in the Queen City, putting us on the map with cities like Portland and Pittsburgh,” said Michael Galligano, CEO, Shared Mobility Inc. “We’re thrilled to operate one of the nation’s leading, most technologically advanced bike share programs and to join forces with Independent Health to help get people more active.”
Buffalo will have more than 90 miles of bike lanes and hundreds of racks throughout the city by the end of the year.
“As long-time supporters of GOBike Buffalo and other efforts to make our city streets more bike-friendly, we are absolutely delighted to join forces with Shared Mobility to bring this program to the Buffalo/Niagara region,” said Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and CEO, Independent Health. “In addition to helping create a culture of health in Western New York by supporting recreation and exercise, Reddy Bikeshare will provide an alternative means of transportation, boost the local economy and further advance the revitalization of Buffalo.”
The tech-driven benefits of bike sharing with GPS bicycles manufactured by Social Bicycles (Sobi) just got a lot more user friendly too. The built-in solar powered system is super easy to use. Cyclists can simply grab a bike or reserve a bike. Pick it up at one location, and then drop it off at another. To make it even more enjoyable, there will be two affordable plans offered – one for frequent users and one for the occasional user. That makes it the perfect way to utilize the service, while only paying for the amount of usage.
The bikes will track calories burned, the distance traveled and the duration of the ride, along with the estimated reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and a calculation of the money saved instead of driving.
“Buffalo is a bicycle friendly city that is committed to expanding its bicycle infrastructure and supporting the growing small business opportunities from the bicycle industry,” said Mayor Byron Brown, noting that Buffalo will have more than 90 miles of bike lanes and hundreds of racks throughout the city by the end of the year. “This new bike share program, presented by Shared Mobility and Independent Health to bring 200 state-of-the-art bike share bikes to Buffalo, helps achieve my goal of making Buffalo one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the country, while providing our residents and visitors with another healthy transportation option for getting around our city.”
“The bikes will track calories burned, the distance traveled and the duration of the ride, along with the estimated reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and a calculation of the money saved instead of driving,” said Dr. Cropp. “And, our Independent Health members will receive a discount.”
The Reddy BikeShare is the result of a pilot program that was launched at the University at Buffalo in 2012. The beta test was sponsored by NYSERDA and NYSDOT . With 40 bikes already on the university campus, and the 200 bikes expected to hit the roads this summer, Buffalo’s distinct role in hosting the nation’s first GPS-based bike share program is resulting in the city’s ability to demonstrate the full potential of the program.
Visit Reddy Bikeshare by clicking here. Twitter: @ReddyBikes.