Mayor Levar
M. Stoney launched the RVA Bike Share program Aug. 29 at Kanawha Plaza and lead cyclists on a 2-mile ride from across the
Manchester Bridge to the T.Tyler Potterfield Bridge, ending at Brown's Island.
“Bike sharing
programs are a community transportation service and desired amenity provided by
forward thinking and environmentally conscious cities,” said Mayor Stoney. “I am
proud Richmond is now among those leading in this regard.”
Richmond has
teamed up with Canada-based Bewegen Technologies Inc., an industry bike share
leader, to supply the bicycles and docking stations.The equipment will be
maintained by Corps Logistics, a Baltimore-based firm owned and operated by
military veterans.
The initial
phase includes 220 8-speed bikes and 20 docking stations located throughout the
city. A second phase is expected to be implemented in the coming months,
doubling the fleet and including electric assist PedElec bikes, making it
easier to ride uphill. These hi-tech bicycles will be equipped with a color
screen, live GPS and can be unlocked through a mobile app.
RVA Bike
Share is a public-private initiative, and Mayor Stoney has written a letter to
encourage Richmond’s corporate and business leaders to engage in sponsorship
opportunities necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.
Click here
to read the mayor’s letter.
Plans for RVA
Bike Share have been in the works since 2012. The city was awarded a $1,064,000
federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant in 2014 to start the
program, supplementing $280,000 in capital improvement funds made available by
the city.
One-way trip
and daily passes will be available as well as weekly, monthly and yearly
memberships. For more information about RVA Bike Share, pricing, membership and
sponsorship opportunities, please visit rvabikes.com.
