Bloomington’s bike share is expected to launch next week.
The first wave of 150 bikes will go into service after a 10 a.m. Wednesday news conference at City Hall. In the coming months, about a dozen dedicated Pace racks will be installed across the city.
Users will be able to rent the bikes from dedicated bicycle parking racks, public bicycle racks and other bicycle securing locations throughout the city at a rate of $1 per half hour. Monthly subscriptions will also be available and offer unlimited 60-minute trips. Riders will be able to find, pay for and unlock a bike using the Pace Bike Share application on their smartphones or by other means on a cellphone.
Cyclists will get a chance to preview the smart bikes at next week’s news conference. The event will feature remarks from Mayor John Hamilton, IU Bloomington Provost Lauren Robel and testimonials from local bicycling enthusiasts.
“Offering a variety of transportation options is essential for relieving city congestion and keeping traffic at bay,” Kevin Whited, Indiana University’s transportation demand management coordinator and bicycle manager, said in a news release.
“Given our community’s dedication to bicycling and the convenience of this system, we anticipate that it will play a significant role in reducing car usage, lowering parking demand, and improving overall public health.”
The city’s fleet of 150 bikes will likely grow as the Pace bike share system generates data on when and where the bikes are being used.