Spartanburg B-cycle is an innovative, convenient tool that can help get residents and visitors, alike, more active.
Spartanburg B-cycle includes 14 B-cycles and 2 B-stations to help folks get around downtown. People can walk up, swipe their credit card and pick a bicycle from the rack. They can rent the bike by the day or get a membership for a month or a year.
The goal is for more people to use bicycles for short trips, reducing the number of brief vehicle trips, said Lee Jones, director of sales for Bcycle. After their ride, people can return the bicycle to any rental station.“We hope that the bicycles are used for trips around downtown and for recreation on the Rail Trail," says Laura Ringo, director of Partners for Active Living, the organization behind the initiative. Riders can monitor their personal fitness, miles traveled, carbon offsets and connect with others online at http://spartanburg.bcycle.com.
The bicycles come with all the conveniences needed for the urban rider--a kickstand, adjustable seats, fenders, a basket, a bell and a lock. Riders are encouraged to bring their own helmets.
Our test ride was very smooth. The bike was heavy, as expected with all these goodies on it, but the internal hub made changing gears easy. Plus the chainguard kept our pants leg clean. These bikes have been well thought out and are truly designed to "grab one and go." We especially liked the built in coffee cup holder.
Other communities that have the Bcycle program include Chicago, Denver and Des Moines, Iowa. Other locations that will offer Bcycle in 2011 are San Antonio, TX, Broward County, FL, Kailua, HI and Boulder, CO.
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