Huntington, Zagster team up for bike-share program

Thursday, June 30, 2016 7:57 AM
Representatives and sponsors of the Zagster bike share program get ready to cut the ribbon at the Huntington Branch of the Huntington City-Township Public Library on Saturday, June 25. Pictured (from left) are Ron Kline, partner with Spokesman Cycling; Kelly Frank, event coordinator for HARTA; Bob Caley, City Services superintendent; Jim Lewis, vice president of HARTA; Mayor Brooks Fetters; Greg Smitley, Huntington University vice president for business and finance/treasurer; Amber Hudson, library employee; Beka Lemons, library director; Devon Henderson, library employee; Aiden Klausing, mayor for the morning; Vince Haupert, Huntington University vice president of advancement; Kole Hale, Zagster employee; and Andrew Rensberger, Parks Department community engagement volunteer/coordinator.
Representatives and sponsors of the Zagster bike share program get ready to cut the ribbon at the Huntington Branch of the Huntington City-Township Public Library on Saturday, June 25. Pictured (from left) are Ron Kline, partner with Spokesman Cycling; Kelly Frank, event coordinator for HARTA; Bob Caley, City Services superintendent; Jim Lewis, vice president of HARTA; Mayor Brooks Fetters; Greg Smitley, Huntington University vice president for business and finance/treasurer; Amber Hudson, library employee; Beka Lemons, library director; Devon Henderson, library employee; Aiden Klausing, mayor for the morning; Vince Haupert, Huntington University vice president of advancement; Kole Hale, Zagster employee; and Andrew Rensberger, Parks Department community engagement volunteer/coordinator. Photo by Ehren Wynder.

The City of Huntington and Zagster Inc. have introduced a citywide bike-share program.

Ten cruiser bikes have been divided among three locations around Huntington and will be available for anyone to use for local trips.

Rental locations are at Huntington University, the Huntington Branch of the Huntington City-Township Public Library and Drover Park.

Riders join the program purchasing hourly, monthly or annual passes.

Zagster users can ride as long as they want, wherever they want. Zagster manages all aspects of the programs — bikes, technology, maintenance and marketing — leaving the city free to focus on other priorities.

Bikes can be found via the free Zagster mobile app, available for iPhone and Android, or online at zagster.com/huntington. Each bike has a unique number which riders enter into the app to obtain a single-use code to open the lockbox on the back of the bike. Alternatively, riders can obtain unlock codes via text message.

A key, stored inside and tethered to the lockbox, allows the bike to be locked and unlocked throughout a ride. After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.
Each bike includes a basket to carry groceries, takeout or personal belongings. Every bike also includes automatic lights, a bell and full reflectors.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, MA, Zagster is the largest and fastest-growing bike share provider in the United States. Zagster works directly with more than 130 communities across North America to make scalable bike-sharing programs available in areas where traditional bike share providers can’t reach.