Bike share comes to smaller communities

"Bike Shares can be effective in smaller, rural communities to increase mobility and provide options for people who do not want to drive."
                                                                                                               -CATA Bike Share website

​Crawford Area Transportation Authority manager Tim Geibel shows how the newly installed Bike Share program works to Christian Maher, the head of the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation.

The foundation was one of the organizations that helped out the program's launch with a little cash.

They met Friday morning outside the Meadville YMCA. one of four locations currently available in the city.

Geibel said the first bikes were installed last Friday with a couple more locations this week. He is hoping to have around 10 locations by Memorial Day. 

CATA will have a table and representatives with more information about the program at the Market House tomorrow during Second Saturday. Geibel said they are testing the program out in Meadville before hopefully expanding it to other area communities including Franklin, Titusville and Oil City.

How it works
The bikes are located in racks at key locations around the city. The back wheels are locked preventing anyone from riding them with out unlocking the wheel using a smartphone. Following the instructions on information signs at each station the bikes can be unlocked and the electronic payment given. The rider can ride for a couple bucks an hour and return the bike to any one of the designated bike racks around town. 
If the bike is left somewhere and not returned the meter keeps running and the rider's card will be charged, Geibel indicated.

For more information visit: https://www.catabus.org/meadville-bike-share or pop by the Market House Saturday.

Geibel said he wanted to get a few bikes out to see what interest there might be before launching full-bore.