Launching April 11^th with 5 stations and 35 bikes Clemson University joins the BCycle family! Students, faculty and staff can now use bike share to get from class to class and building to building.  Riders can sign up online and stop by Clemson’s Parking and Transportation Services office to pick up their membership card and helmet, included with their membership.  The bright orange bikes are easy to spot but don’t miss their unicorn bike, a custom branded gold bike in honor of the Clemson Tigers’ recent win of the College Football National Championship.  

Move Kicks Off Grand Avenue Revitalization, Places Bublr at Center of Regional Network

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin– Bublr Bikes, a non-profit organization that operates a rapidly growing bike-sharing network in the Milwaukee area, will move its headquarters and bicycle maintenance facility into the Shops of the Grand Avenue, becoming the initial permanent tenant in the property’s redevelopment, it was announced Thursday.

Bublr is making the move to locate its office, maintenance and retail facilities at the center of its growing transportation network, said James Davies, Bublr’s acting executive director.

“With our new offices in the Grand Avenue, we will be close to customers, near potential bike-maintenance workers and at the center of our growing regional network in an area that is a gathering place and connector for all Milwaukeeans,” Davies said. “We’re also proud that we will be an anchor tenant in the revitalization of the Grand Avenue and tied to other nearby redevelopments, such as the Milwaukee Symphony’s planned relocation into the former Grand Theater across the street from us and the new Bucks arena just blocks away. This location will position Bublr to grow to become an even more viable transportation option for people all over Milwaukee.”

Bublr will be the first permanent tenant in the redevelopment plans of the Grand Avenue Mall. A new Bublr kiosk will be installed outside the Grand Avenue entrance, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., this year. A mini Bublr station may be installed inside the building itself, immediately outside the group’s offices.

The Bublr Bikes system is a public-private partnership between the City of Milwaukee and Bublr Bikes, with additional support from many other public and private partners. Since Summer 2014, Bublr Bikes, a Milwaukee-based not-for-profit, has launched 57 bike share stations in several City of Milwaukee neighborhoods and Wauwatosa. In coming years, the system plans to expand to over 100 stations and 800 Bublr Bikes in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis and Shorewood.

As part of a long-term lease, Bublr will take over 6,275 square feet in the Grand Avenue that will include the group’s offices, a facility to maintain its fleets of bikes, currently totaling 512, and a customer service counter offering walk-in assistance, system passes and Bublr merchandise. The new location is close to the Wisconsin Avenue entrance and next to Boston Store. The new Bublr space most recently housed a jewelry accessories store and previously a national record-store chain.

Bublr employs 5 people full time and from 9 to 15 part-time workers, up from 1 full-time  employee when it launched in 2014.

The Shops of Grand Avenue, in the heart of Downtown Milwaukee, was created as an urban shopping plaza in the 1980s. In December 2015, The Aggero Group and Minneapolis developer Hempel Cos. bought the property. The new owners have announced plans to redevelop the Grand Avenue into a mixed-use project including retail, entertainment, office and other uses that will be unveiled in early 2017.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he was pleased by Bublr’s move to the Grand Avenue. “Bublr Bikes connects people with destinations all around Milwaukee,” Barrett said. “With today’s announcement, the organization is connecting with a location that is enjoying renewed vitality.”

Tony Janowiec, a principal of the Grand Avenue’s ownership team, said, “Bublr fits our redevelopment plans perfectly. When the opportunity came to provide Bublr a permanent home in the heart of downtown and Bublr’s network, we knew we had to make it a reality.  Our redevelopment plans are all about what makes Milwaukee such a cool place to live and work, which has been Bublr’s goal from its inception. We are proud that they will now call the Grand Avenue home.”

Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, said, “Bublr Bikes is all about movement in this community and we are happy for them on their new move to the Shops of Grand Avenue.  May they continue to momentum in moving the organization and their great service forward.”

Stacie Callies, executive director of the Westown Association, said, “Bublr Bikes is an important component of developing a comprehensive, integrated transportation system in Milwaukee. We are excited that Bublr has chosen to add to the positive momentum in Westown by locating its headquarters in the heart of the area at the Shops of Grand Avenue.

Bublr will be moving from space in the Schlitz Park office complex. Schlitz Park was one of Bublr’s original sponsors and made arrangements for space to allow for Bublr growth. “We offer our deepest gratitude to Schlitz Park partners Gary Grunau and Scott Sampson, who helped incubate Bublr by donating critically needed space at Schlitz for the past year and a half,” Bublr Board President Bruce Keyes said. “Our growth and current success would not be possible without their support.”

Bublr riders pay as little as $3 per 30-minute ride, or $15 monthly for unlimited 60-minute rides, returning their bikes to any system station. They pay with credit cards at station kiosks. Annual passes are also available. Bublr provides discounted and subsidized passes to a variety of corporate partners, students and City of Milwaukee Housing Authority residents.

Information on using Bublr Bikes is available at BublrBikes.com. Bublr Bikes is on social media at: Facebook and Twitter. News media can download Bublr Bikes logos and images at bublrbikes.com/media

MEDIA CONTACTS
Jeff Bentoff
Bublr Media Relations
(414) 465-8710
jeff@bentoff.com

James Davies
Bublr Acting Executive Director
(262) 880-7815
James@BublrBikes.com

New alliance combines best-in-class bike share systems with operational excellence

MADISON, Wisconsin and PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania - Bicycle Transit Systems (Bike Transit) and BCycle have signed a strategic alliance agreement to cement the relationship of the industry-leading bike share operator and equipment provider. Since 2015, the companies have implemented four bike share systems together: Philadelphia’s Indego bike share, Los Angeles’ Metro Bike Share, Las Vegas’ RTC Bike Share and Oklahoma City’s Spokies bike share (relaunch). As part of the strategic alliance, BCycle’s parent, Trek Bicycle, is making an equity investment in Bike Transit.

“I am elated to cement this relationship with BCycle and Trek, as we are both best-in-class bike share service providers, and committed to creating an optimal bike share customer experience,” said Alison Cohen, President and CEO of Bicycle Transit Systems. “I am proud to team with BCycle, a company with strong financial stability, highly professional operations and people who share our key values of under-promising, over-delivering and acting with integrity, honesty and kindness in all dealings.”

This transaction will allow the two companies to offer communities in the US and internationally world-class, premium bike share operations, equipment, software and service. Trek’s investment ensures financial stability for the company, as well as the ability to rapidly expand current systems and launch new systems.

“We are committed to finding additional ways for even more communities to introduce bike share to their residents and visitors,” Burns said. “Bike Transit’s proven leadership in bike share operations is undeniable. Our experience with them has been extremely positive, and we can’t wait to work together to offer even more communities an integrated bike share ecosystem that furthers the bicycle’s – and bike share’s – role in public transit.”

The strategic alliance allows for collaborative product development and operations to ensure that cities receive a system that works best for their needs, starting with a seamless install to consistent operations and customer service. Cities looking to bring bike share to their communities can now enjoy the benefit of “one stop shopping” by working with BCycle and Bike Transit through this new strategic alliance. BCycle will provide the hardware and software while Bike Transit will provide full-service operations.

BCycle currently has more than 1,290 stations and 11,000 bikes on the ground in 43 communities in North and South America, while Bike Transit operates bike share programs in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Las Vegas.

About Bicycle Transit Systems

Bicycle Transit Systems is a leader in bike share system implementation and operation. We have the most experienced team in the US in launching bike share programs of all sizes. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Bicycle Transit Systems manages Philadelphia’s Indego bike share, Los Angeles’ Metro Bike Share, Las Vegas’ RTC Bike Share and Oklahoma City Spokies. Before forming Bike Transit, the company’s founders launched and expanded the earliest and largest bike share programs in the US. Bicycle Transit Systems provides hands-on operation of bike share systems for large and small bike share systems. The company’s mission is to make bike sharing a safe, easy, accessible and enjoyable way to get around.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Marina Marich
BCycle
(847) 868-2049
mmarich@bcycle.com

Alison Cohen
Bicycle Transit Systems
(267) 428-2453
acohen@bicycletransit.com

New smart bike, BCycle Dash, and mobile app form future of bike share

At a global gathering of bike share operators in Madison, Wisconsin yesterday, BCycle announced the bike share industry’s first fully integrated ecosystem that further enhances the bicycle’s role in public transit and that represents the future of bike share.

BCycle President Bob Burns introduced a suite of products and software that surround the bike share user and ecosystem during the company’s annual BCycle World conference: BCycle Dash, a new smart bike; BCycle Dash +, an electric assist bike share bike; and a new mobile app that unifies bike share, making it easier than ever to incorporate bike share systems into public transit. BCycle is the first bike share company to integrate bike share with public transit in the U.S.

“Bike share should be simple, intuitive and easy to use,” Burns said. “We need to remove barriers for people to be able to access a bike. That is why we introduced these new products and mobile app to help make this possible.”



BCycle Dash is an advanced smart bike that puts the rider at the center of the bike share experience. Unlike other smart bikes, BCycle Dash incorporates elements that firmly establish bike share as a critical component of a city’s transit system offerings.
Among its many features, BCycle Dash has the ability to be docked on conventional bike racks, at existing BCycle stations, at its own Dash dock, next to a station if there are no available docks or anywhere a bike can be docked. The bike also includes a head’s up color touchscreen that highlights distance and time traveled, cost spent and calories burned.

In addition, BCycle Dash features turn-by-turn directions that route riders to their destinations via a city’s designated bike paths. The directions are clear and easy to read on a moving bicycle – or can be spoken to the rider. Best of all, the bikes can be accessed in multiple ways, including phone, fob keys, metro transit cards and campus identification cards.



BCycle Dash + includes all of the same features as BCycle Dash in a fully integrated electric assist bike model. The Dash docks can be upgraded to accommodate the electric bike; the bike has a center mounted motor for balance, control and natural ride; and BCycle Dash + has an integrated lithium ion battery.



Linking both of these bikes is a world-class mobile app that allows riders to sign up and pay for rides; instantly release the bike by typing the dock number into a mobile device; find out where they are located and where they want to go.

“It’s not just about the bike – it’s about the rider,” Burns said. “It is about the ecosystem that surrounds the rider and how that ecosystem connects the rider to the bike to boost the rider experience. A rider-centric ecosystem that is linked by a world-class app creates the foundation of bike’s role in public transit. That’s why BCycle is here and that’s where we’re going.” 

BCycle currently has more than 1,250 stations and 10,200 bikes on the ground in North and South America. All BCycle bikes are designed by Waterloo, Wisconsin-based Trek.

To see photos from #BCycleWorld and the BCycle Dash launch, like BCycle on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marina Marich
847-868-2049
mmarich@bcycle.com

Residents and Tourists Can Travel Downtown Las Vegas in a New, Fun and Inexpensive Way

Las Vegas is the latest city to bring bike share to its community, further enhancing transportation options for residents and the world-class experience for millions of visitors. Over the weekend, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) and its partners Bicycle Transit Systems (Bike Transit) and BCycle launched RTC Bike Share, the valley's first public bike share system in downtown Las Vegas.

RTC Bike Share provides a convenient and easy-to-use transportation alternative to short trips in the downtown area where users can check out a bike from one station and return it to another station near their final destination. With 21 stations at popular locations downtown and 180 bikes available 24 hours a day, bike share will provide a new alternative for residents, commuters and tourists to travel.

Priced at $4 for a 30-minute ride, $8 for a 24-hour pass and $20 for a 30-day membership, RTC Bike Share is an inexpensive way to make trips that are too long to walk, but too short to drive. As part of the 24-hour pass and 30-day membership, users can check out a bike for 30 minutes at a time, for as many trips as their pass duration allows, without being charged an extra fee.

"The RTC Bike Share program demonstrates our progressive approach to multimodal transportation," said Tina Quigley, RTC general manager. "The RTC is committed to promoting cycling as a more sustainable transportation option, and bike share is a fun and convenient way to get people outdoors and see the city."

The program complements downtown Las Vegas' dedicated green bike lanes and is the latest addition to the RTC's current cycling initiatives, including the state-of-the-art bike center at the Bonneville Transit Center and hundreds of miles of bike routes throughout the valley.

Bicycle Transit Systems will operate RTC Bike Share station maintenance and customer service.

"Our team has launched and operated large bike share programs since bike share first began in the U.S., so we've seen a lot and learned a few things," said Alison Cohen, Bike Transit CEO. "Downtown Las Vegas has a unique combination of high transit ridership, a mix of tourists and residents and, of course, great biking weather that makes it ideal for the kinds of short, spontaneous trips that bike share provides. We couldn't be more excited to partner with RTC and BCycle to help make bike share a success in downtown Las Vegas."

The Las Vegas system brings the total number of communities with a BCycle system in the United States and South America to 42. BCycle currently has more than 1,250 stations and 10,200 bikes on the ground in North and South America.

Las Vegas joins Philadelphia and Los Angeles in using BCycle's 2.0 bikes and stations. The 2.0 next-generation station features an intuitive kiosk and an updated aesthetic design while the 2.0 bicycle is lighter than the first-generation bike. All BCycle bikes are designed by Waterloo, Wisc.-based Trek.

"The 2.0 system's proven technology and high-quality aesthetic will complement the high ridership expected of both resident and tourist users in Las Vegas," said BCycle President Bob Burns. "It has been a pleasure working with RTC and Bike Transit to bring bike share to Southern Nevada. We're pleased to welcome Las Vegas into the rapidly growing BCycle family of bike share systems."

For more information on RTC Bike Share, visit bikeshare.rtcsnv.com and download the BCycle app in the App Store and Google Play.

About the RTC

The RTC is the transit authority, transportation planning organization and regional traffic management agency for Southern Nevada. The RTC's mission is to provide a safe, accessible and efficient regional transportation network that enhances the quality of life for Southern Nevada's residents and visitors. The RTC encourages the use of various transportation modes that help reduce the valley's traffic congestion and improve air quality. For more information about the RTC and its major initiatives such as Southern Nevada Strong, Fuel Revenue Indexing and the Transportation Investment Business Plan, visit rtcsnv.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Media Contacts:

• Monika Bertaki
  RTC
  (702) 354-3561
  bertakim@rtcsnv.com
  
  
  Marina Marich
  BCycle
  (847) 868-2049
  mmarich@bcycle.com