Local residents will soon be able to rent a pair of wheels, as a bike share program shifts back into gear in Harrisburg.
Tri-County Regional Planning Commission plans to bring back rentable bikes to the area, two years after the previous Harrisburg Bike Share program halted due to COVID.
“It was such a popular bike share in Harrisburg,” said Lauren Weaver, a planner at TCRPC. “We thought it would be a good time to bring it back.”
The previous bike share, spearheaded by Communities in School Pennsylvania and operated by Boston-based Zagster, ran from 2017 to 2020, when Zagster suspended operations.
TCRPC saw the success of that program, and plans to return something similar. They are currently in the process of selecting a bike share vendor. Weaver expects bikes to be ready for rental by the end of July.
According to Weaver, the commission plans to incorporate at least 10 stations at locations throughout Harrisburg. They may use some of the previous bike share’s stations, a few of which are still found in the city.
The bike share is intended to be utilized as both a method of transportation to and from work and for recreation, Weaver explained. It will likely use a yearly membership model, with options for monthly or pay-by-the-hour prices. Weaver noted that the program will be affordable and even includes discounts for low-income residents.
“A lot of people use these for transportation to and from work,” Weaver said. “They reduce traffic and get people active.”
TCRPC is also looking to create a region-wide program by connecting Harrisburg’s system with the programs in surrounding municipalities.
The planning commission is accepting suggestions for bike share locations and sponsorship opportunities. They are also holding a contest to come up with a catchy name for the program, where the winner will receive a free year of bike share.
For more information, visit Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s website, email lweaver@tcrpc-pa.org or call 717-234-2639.
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