Mama at all times taught you to share.
And now’s your second to shine. Thanks to a brand new bike-share program in Charleston, you should utilize a bike for a bit, park it some place else after which let someone else use it later. Pat your self on the again, you simply shared!
This is the essential premise of a bike share – stations are positioned strategically across the space, and for a small charge, bikes will be taken from or returned there – one thing Charleston has had in earlier years, however now, extra folks will probably be in a position to expertise the thrill of sharing. That’s as a result of final week, at a launch social gathering for Lime – a bike-share firm with roots in tons of of cities throughout 5 continents – the City of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina and the mobility firm introduced a brand new partnership consisting of greater than 200 e-bikes at stations scattered across the metropolis.
But wait, what’s an e-bike? Well, that’s an amazing query I simply requested for you.
An e-bike is an electrical bike that doesn’t do all of the be just right for you however, moderately, provides you a pedal help. What meaning is, once you pedal, the bike goes, “Whoa, take it easy there Lance Armstrong, let me help you.” So whether or not you’re pedaling on a flat road or up a steep hill (Charlestonians have heard legends of these), it’s as simple as key lime pie.
A giant purpose why the e-bike announcement is so thrilling is as a result of pedal-assist opens up the likelihood of biking to folks of all sizes and ages. And the partnership with MUSC – the place one of the extra distinguished bike hubs is positioned – is an element of the instructing hospital’s continued dedication to advocating for more healthy life.
“This fits so well with where MUSC wants to go in terms of community, accessibility and most importantly, health and wellness,” mentioned Patrick Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health CEO and vp for Health Affairs, University.
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg additionally touted the well being advantages however couldn’t assist getting a bit excited concerning the bikes themselves.
“Wait until you ride one of these bikes,” he mentioned. “Man, you give that thing just one stroke, and you’re off.”
Not solely are they simple to experience, they’re onerous to miss. Neon inexperienced and white with an enormous entrance basket for carrying gear, groceries, a small canine probably, there have been greater than 20 bikes out there to take a look at experience on the partnership launch close to MUSC’s Urban Farm. Faculty members, college students and workers took turns testing out the bikes. Riders merely obtain the Lime app, enter in their private data – MUSC workers get a 70% low cost on all rides – and so they’re off.
MUSC Health-Charleston CEO David Zaas, M.D., couldn’t have look extra delighted to be on one of the e-bikes, his white lab coat flapping in the wind as he zoomed across the big oak tree close to the Dental Clinic.
“That was great!” he mentioned as he smiled at everybody.
Kimberly Kascak, assistant professor in MUSC’s workplace of interprofessional initiatives, needed to see what all of the hubbub was about, so she stopped and gave one of the bikes a attempt – and she or he was fairly impressed.
“If they’re going to have stations all around town, I could park my car where there isn’t as much traffic, hop on one of these and get where I want to go quickly and without having to worry about parking,” she mentioned. “I could actually see using this.”
To start, Lime could have 27 e-bike stations unfold throughout the peninsula. How to pay, using guidelines in addition to the place these stations are positioned are all out there inside the app. In the approaching months and years, Lime additionally hopes to broaden to West Ashley, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston.