Explore Bike Share to host demo stations

Explore Bike Share, a nonprofit motivated to install a comprehensive bike share system in Memphis, will bring a demonstration bike share station to town the week of July 26-29.

Explore Bike Share is a nonprofit with a mission to bring a bike share system to Memphis in 2017. It strives to develop and implement a bike sharing program for the benefit of the general public with access to as many Memphians as possible; promote bike culture in Memphis through community development, bike education and safety training; and encourage exercise and healthy lifestyles. Bike share is an on-demand network of rental bicycles; check out a bike from any station and go to the next destination, paying per ride, per day, or per month.

B-Cycle, a leading bike share system manufacturer Memphis’ selected vendor, will set up a station throughout Memphis for residents, tourists and potential sponsors to experience the health, cultural, environmental and urban transportation benefits of bike share. The station will serve as a physical example of the rented on-demand bicycle network that will be implemented in Memphis once the $4 million initial capital is reached.

The bike share demonstrations will take place in Midtown, Downtown and South Memphis. Full schedule available here.

Visitors are encouraged to follow the bike station through Memphis and post photographs on-site with #seemoreinmemphis. One selected daily winner will be announced as the recipient of a lifetime bike share membership.

The announcement of the demonstration station serves as a catalyst of a founding membership campaign, which requests individual “founding” member pledges on explorebikeshare.com or on-site during the demo station pop-ups.

Monthly user memberships are $15/month. A “pay it forward” annual membership donates the transportation and health care benefits of bike share to a Memphian in need for $200/year. Individuals can even pledge to “adopt a bike,” which offers an engraved name or quote on a bike share bike.

The founding membership drive, announced through a newly released video on Explore Bike Share’s Facebook page, will run through August 3.