Bike share program drawing lots of users in first month

Since the Macon Bike Share program began last month, nearly 200 people have bicycled downtown.

“Everything is smooth sailing. We haven’t had any complaints,” said Valerie Bradley, director of communications for the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are very pleased in looking at the usage and the feedback we’ve received.”

Since the program was unveiled in three downtown locations Sept. 15, a total of 185 people have tried it out, said Jon Terbush, spokesman for the bike share company Zagster.

“Ridership is already up about 40 percent in October relative to last month,” Terbush said in an email to The Telegraph. “We expect it to continue climbing as more people become familiar with the program.”

The bikes are free for the first hour of every ride, and it costs $3 for each additional hour, with a cap at $30 per day.

Cyclists only need a cell phone and a credit card to participate. Smartphone users can download an app for Zagster, but there’s also an option to rent a bike via text message.

The Tubman Museum and Washington Memorial Library bike racks are being used more often than the one at the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail off Spring Street, Bradley said.

“Maybe it seems just a little bit more tucked away from the other locations,” Bradley said.

There are seven bikes at each of the three stations, but that number fluctuates as people return bikes at different locations.

Independent contractor Ross McCollough periodically services the bikes, making sure no parts are missing and the tires are fully inflated, among other checks, Bradley said.

The bike sharing program is made possible by an $88,170 Downtown Challenge Grant awarded in June to the Macon-Bibb CBV.

The grant is underwritten by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Peyton Anderson Foundation but administered through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Bike share program drawing lots of users in first month."