Bike sharing is rolling into Patchogue this summer! Boston-based company, Zagster, announced on Wednesday its plan to expand bike sharing to Patchogue and Babylon in August. Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and Suffolk County Deputy Executive and Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning Theresa Ward joined Zagster Sales Director Dave Reed to make the announcement at the Patchogue LIRR Station. Mayor Pontieri took the inaugural ride on the new bikes!
Called Bethpage Ride, the bike share program is sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Zagster runs similar programs in over 100 municipalities, including Rochester and Utica in upstate New York, but this is the first of its kind of Long Island.
Riders can choose between membership or pay-as-you-go options. A membership allows for unlimited 30-minute rides and cost $10/month or $60/year. Casual cyclists can rent the bikes in 15-minute increments at $1.50 per ride.
Riders must download Zagster’s app, called “Pace” before they can take a bike for a spin. Like NYC’s Citibike program, bikes can be found at and returned to designated bike banks which will be installed around Patchogue. However, Zagster will add also offer riders the option simply to leave their bikes wherever their ride ends for the next lucky cyclist to find or locate through the app.
According to Zagster’s Sales Director, “While with CitiBike the large majority of the technology is in the bike docks, we truly have smart bikes with GPS and other technology right there on the bike with you. It allows us to be much more flexible and convenient for our riders.”
Patchogue plans to install bike banks at several convenient locations, including the LIRR Station, Shorefront Park, and along Main Street between Blue Point and Rider Ave. “We will be starting in Patchogue and Babylon with over 100 bikes this August, and hopefullymore soon. We feel the county could support up to 400 bikes in the near future.”
Check out Patchogue.today's pictures and video for a first glance at the new bikes, and well as Mayor Pontieri taking them for a spin!
