Sacramento, CA --The Midtown Business Association (MBA) has launched the pilot program for the Midtown Bike Share: automated kiosks that offer bicycles for rent by the hour or by the day.
The Midtown Bike Share will make it easier for both residents and visitors to get around without needing their own bicycle. When fully implemented, bike share would help to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions in Midtown. The bike share concept has exploded in popularity in major cities worldwide, and the Midtown pilot program will make Sacramento one of the few bike share programs on the West Coast.
The pilot program includes two bike rental kiosks/vaults and 12 bikes, and will last approximately six months. Bianchi bicycles were generously donated for use in this pilot program by Ikon Cycles at 1126 18th Street, Sacramento. The kiosks are located in the parking lots at 28th and J Streets and at 16th and I Streets.
To rent a bike, riders will register directly at either one of the kiosks. Upon arriving at the kiosk, they insert their credit card and choose a bike, which is then released from the appropriate bike vault. Riders simply return the bike back to the same kiosk vault at the end of their ride.
A deposit will be held on the rider's credit card until the bike is returned. The system tracks who has checked out which bike from which kiosk vault. If the bike is not returned within 48 hours, the credit card assigned to the bike will be charged for a replacement bike.
The bike share system does not include helmets, locks, or lights. The Midtown Business Association strongly encourages riders to bring, rent, or purchase these items pre-ride. Ikon Cycles located at 1126 18th Street (18th and L) is open Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm and will have these items available for rent and/or purchase, and there are several other bike accessory retailers in Midtown as well.
Introductory rates:
First ½ hour -FREE
Second ½ hour--$2
Each additional hour: $4
Maximum day rate (24 hours)--$30
