Here at elephant, we’re big fans of bike share programs and we’re excited they’re finalllly coming to Boulder. The below shared with us via Boulder B-Cycle:
B-cycle Bike Sharing Coming To Boulder: Spring 2011
“Magic Bikes” there when you need them, gone when you don’t.
America’s burgeoning bike sharing revolution will gain another ally this spring, when Boulder, Colorado, welcomes B-cycle to its downtown streets.
Starting May 20, visitors and residents of this famously cycling-friendly city will have access to
approximately 200 B-cycle bikes spread between 25 docking stations throughout the city’s
bustling commercial corridor.
Users need only buy a membership on-line or purchase a 24-hour pass at any B-station, then
grab a bike and go. When you’re done, simply re-dock the bike at any of the conveniently
located B-stations and go on with your day.
That’s why they’re called magic bikes: there when you need them, gone when you don’t.
Annual memberships for Boulder B-cycle cost just $50 and include the first 60 minutes of any
individual ride. Day passes are only $5 and come with the same first-hour-free privilege. As an
added bonus, all Boulder B-cycle annual memberships will include full access to the Denver B-
cycle program.
“Whether you need to run a quick errand, grab a cup of coffee, go to a lunch meeting, or just
get out for a spin, Boulder B-cycle is an ideal green transportation alternative,” explained
community engagement director Elizabeth Train. “It bridges the gap for all those trips that are
too far to walk, but too short to drive. Plus it cuts down on pollution, parking fees and traffic —
and it’s good for you.”
While the Boulder launch follows on the heels of successful bike sharing programs in Denver,
Minneapolis, and Washington D.C., the idea, design and technology powering B-cycle was born
at the base of the Flatirons.
Nationally renown—and Boulder-based—creative agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky was the
driving force behind the national B-cycle program launch. Fellow Boulder County businesses
Amadeus Consulting and KIOSK Information Systems developed the software and user kiosks
respectively.
Other critical partners include Humana and Wisconsin-based Trek Bikes, which designed and
manufactures the sturdy and easy to ride bikes that have helped make B-cycle such an
immediate success.
In just its first year, Denver B-cycle recorded nearly 103,000 rides covering more than 210,000
miles. All that pedaling resulted in the burning of 6.3 million calories, while avoiding the
expulsion of 312,121 pounds of carbon emissions and 9,613 pounds of toxic air pollutants.
And in a year when the struggling economy was on the minds of many, the new program was
exceptionally pocket-book friendly, saving B-cycle users approximately $311,126 in parking
costs and another $41,000 in gas money.
“The Denver program was and will continue to be an amazing success,” said Boulder B-cycle
executive director Lewis Wolman. “But one of the beauties of B-cycle is that you can tailor it to
each community. So Boulder B-cycle will meet the unique needs of this community, because in
the end this is a community program, not just a bicycle program. People riding bikes improves
quality of life for everyone, and it’s something anyone can do even if they haven’t ridden a bike
in 20 years.”
Strategically located docking stations, an adjusted fee schedule, extended ride duration
protocol, and an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to support and benefit from
Boulder B-cycle are just some of the program’s unique community-specific assets.
And already the Boulder community is responding. Several local businesses and prominent
individuals have come on board as sponsors, and Boulder B-cycle is set to announce a major
corporate partnership in mid-January.
But the fund raising effort has just begun. Boulder B-cycle continues to offer a host of
sponsorship opportunities, ranging from full B-station sponsorship, to branding opportunities on
various areas on the bike. For example, local businesses can secure space on the basket of one
bike for just $500 for an entire year.
“It’s a unique advertising opportunity that can promote a brand, and at the same time show a
company’s support for clean, green transportation,” said Train.
It’s a message that will be delivered to a large and desirable audience. Expected Boulder B-
cycle user groups include many of the 55,000 out-of-town workers that flood into Boulder on a
daily basis, a steady year-round stream of tourists, and of course Boulderites from all walks of
life.
“Of course Boulder is famous for all the athletic minded people who live here, but B-cycle is
truly for anyone and everyone who’s ever ridden a bike,” added Wolman. “Boulder B-cycle will
be offering incentive deals, working with local businesses to come up with group membership
packages. We are really striving to get the entire community engaged.”
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