CoGo Bike Share Rolls with Style
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 17, 2013
For
More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
Erin
Miller, Mayor’s Office, 645-0815
Heather Bowden, CoGo Bike Share, 352-6207
Brad Westall, Columbus Recreation & Parks, 645-2441
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CoGo
Bike Share Rolls with Style
Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Councilmember
Zach Klein and Jeff Olson of Alta
Bicycle Share Inc. kicked off Columbus’ new CoGo Bike Share system today.
Modeled after successful urban bike share programs in other cities, CoGo will
be a green, affordable option for residents and visitors making short trips in
and around Downtown. A map of the station locations is available at
www.cogobikeshare.com. All 30 of the stations will be installed and operational
by early August.
|
Councilmember Klein checks out a CoGo bike
at today’s launch. |
“CoGo is a low-cost, convenient way to get around and explore Columbus without
having to worry about finding a place to park,” Mayor Coleman said. “CoGo will
make our city greener and healthier while reducing congestion and improving our
quality of life.”
The landmark boundaries of the bike share system are:
• COSI, 333 W. Broad St., to the
west.
• Oak and Parsons in Olde Towne
East to the east.
• Second and High Street in Short
North, to the north.
• Schiller Park in German Village
to the south.
Annual membership sales are available for $75, amounting to about 20 cents per
day. Single 24-hour memberships are also an option for $6. Members have
unlimited access to the 30-station system, with the first 30 minutes of each
ride for free. Each kiosk has a terminal for purchase of day passes, or
memberships can be ordered online at www.cogobikeshare.com. The Central Ohio
Transit Authority and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission are CoGo’s
first two founding corporate members.
“The CoGo Bike Share provides an affordable transportation option for
residents, visitors, and workers in the Downtown area,” said Councilmember Zach
M. Klein, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee. “It is one more piece of
the transportation puzzle that, with the support of the community, could be a
valuable asset to the city.”
There are guidelines on the bikes to encourage users to ride safely and
responsibly, including wearing a helmet and using appropriate arm signals.
Also, two local bike shops, Paradise Garage and B1 Bikes, are offering
discounts to CoGo members. Hilton Columbus Downtown and Crowne Plaza Columbus
Downtown are providing helmets for their guests.
“Alta is excited to partner with the City of Columbus and manage the CoGo Bike
Share system,” said Jeff Olson from Alta Bicycle Share Inc. “Columbus is out
front by launching a great bike share network before many other cities—cities
like Vancouver, Portland, and San Francisco. They’re just starting and you’re
already riding!”-30-