The metropolis of Encinitas launched an electrical bike-sharing program on Wednesday.
Visitors will spot the colourful BCycle bikes and docks alongside Coast Highway from Leucadia to Cardiff by the Sea.
Similar to different bike-sharing applications, the e-bike is unlocked by means of the “BCycle” mobile phone app.
Tania Thorne / KPBS
But Tim Pirkey with the corporate mentioned this program has a significant distinction.
“Accountability,“ he said. “It provides for a much nicer experience for both the rider and the community.”
To full a journey, the bicycle owner should return the bike to one of many 11 docking stations.
“You’ll never have bikes abandoned in front of businesses, on sidewalks, and intersections or anything like that,” mentioned Pirkey.
Riders have to be 18 years of age. But in different cities, children have nonetheless discovered methods to journey.
Pirkey mentioned BCycle has set some security limitations.
“We have them limited to 15 miles per hour so that there’s not going to be excessive speeding through town,” he mentioned. “And just encouraging smart, safe, cycling.“
A BCycle team will provide support to the bike program and will respond to some emergencies and repairs.
BCycle comes from a partnership with Trek Bicycles and Electra Bikes, headquartered in Encinitas.
Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear hopes the BCycle trial will expand to other cities.
“My hope is that we are able to have a lot more than 65 bicycles, that we can double that and we’ll have it not just at our train station, but all along the El Camino Real corridor. And people will be able to have monthly passes where they can get on their bicycle and ride it to work… and that this will be a part of their commute,” she mentioned.
The pilot program lasts one yr with three annual extension choices afterward.
Crystal Najera, town of Encinitas sustainability supervisor, mentioned the e-bike program helps Encinitas meet its local weather motion plan targets.
“Every bike that is being ridden is one less car on the road, one less vehicle emitting carbon into our atmosphere and causing global climate change,” she mentioned.
Najera mentioned she hopes the program will launch in different close by cities and has already been in talks with Oceanside, Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Del Mar.
Single rides value $7 for half-hour, month-to-month passes value $30 and annual passes value $150.
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