Check out Charlotte B-Cycle
Do you remember the joy you felt as a kid riding your bike through the streets of your neighborhood, or how much fun you had with your best friend and riding to the park? Rediscover that joy with Charlotte B-Cycle at Open Streets 704, powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. On Sunday, May 7, Charlotte B-Cycle will provide free bike rentals; and for those who have their own bikes, they’ll offer free valet bike parking. No reason not to enjoy this upcoming Open Streets 704 event on foot and by bike!
If you have never used a Charlotte B-Cycle, you may be asking yourself what it is exactly. We’re sure you have seen the bike stations around town with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Carolina Healthcare System (CHS) logo on them. Just like a library, those blue bikes may be “checked out” from a B-Cycle station, and then returned after use. Since opening their first B-Cycle stations in August 2012, B-Cycle riders have taken 216,000 trips, purchased 64,000 24-hour memberships, and 3,600 student/annual memberships. That is a lot of bike rides happening in the Queen City.
Thanks to Title Sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Founding Sponsor, CHS, Charlotte B-Cycle is expanding. In addition to those sponsorships, they have received commitments from over a dozen developers to purchase stations. These funds will provide the necessary matching to the $1.7 million in federal funds Charlotte B-Cycle has been awarded to complete the expansion. The funds will allow the system to add approximately 20 – 25 new stations and 300 bikes.
And now it’s to get your bike on with the Charlotte B-Cycle app, where you can find the closest B-Cycle station, see the current inventory, and directions. There are currently 200 bikes at 21 self check-out stations, so it’s easy to get started. Executive director of Charlotte B-Cycle, Dianna Ward suggests checking out a B-Cycle at one of the Greenway stations and build up your road-riding confidence. Then, find a fun ride for all levels and join them to get used to riding with traffic.
Ward says that having that bike riding confidence makes it easier to include cycling as a mode of transportation by identifying one task that you currently do in your car and replace the car with a bike. When you are planning fun activities for your friends think about checking out Charlotte B-Cycles. With 21 stations and more to come, access on your phone, and FREE rides during the May 7th Open Streets 704, there’s no reason not to give it a try!
