New SusqueCycle bikes at the Market Square Transfer Center.
Harrisburg now has some shiny new bikes, providing an inexpensive, accessible and healthy way to get around the city.
SusqueCycle, Harrisburg’s bike share program, announced that it has upgraded its bike selection, replacing 60 bicycles with brand new ones and donating its old bikes to local nonprofit, Recycle Bicycle.
SusqueCycle, which is operated by Tandem Mobility and administered by Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, is in its second season, with ten stations in Harrisburg and one in Hummelstown.
“The idea is to give people in and around Harrisburg an inexpensive and healthy way to get around,” said Steve Deck, executive director of the commission, while unveiling the new bikes to the local media on Thursday.
The organization recently upgraded bicycles to newer models with more comfortable seating and sleeker designs for a better, easier ride, Deck said.
SusqueCycle is also adding new stations, including one at the TransitPark lot at 10th and Market streets, with another one set to be installed near the state Capitol at Commonwealth and North streets.
Additionally, the new bikes include a GPS system that tracks riders’ routes in order to gain data for future planning and to see where bike lanes and bike facilities are most needed.
Recycle Bicycle will donate the old bikes that are in good condition to residents in need and use parts of the more worn bikes to build new ones.
“Harrisburg is a great biking city,” Recycle Bicycle Founder Ross Willard said. “And a lot of people can’t afford a car, so we help them get an affordable, sustainable basic transportation method.”
UPMC has worked alongside SusqueCycle as its primary sponsor since its founding and has aided financially in the process of upgrading the bicycles.
“It’s promoting a healthier community,” said Matt Connors, development officer at UPMC. “Whatever we can do to support a healthier community and keep folks out of our hospitals, that’s why it means so much to us at UMPC.”
An annual SusqueCycle membership costs $25, which includes unlimited one-hour rides. SusqueCycle also offers an à la carte option, charging $1.50 for a half-hour ride.
Bikers can purchase memberships or rides and unlock and relock bikes at SusqueCycle stations by using the Movatic app.
For more information about SusqueCycle, visit their website.
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