Greenville B-Cycle Expands System and Offers Discounted Annual Memberships
September 4, 2014
New Stations Installed at Greenville Zoo and Hughes Public Library at Heritage Green
GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville B-cycle installed two new stations this week, expanding the bike share network to eight stations and 35 bikes. Station installations were completed at the Greenville Zoo in Cleveland Park and the Hughes Main Library of the Greenville County Library System at Heritage Green with support from the City and County of Greenville.
“We are thrilled with the expansion and continued support of community partners,” said Greenville B-cycle Program Director Lisa Hallo. “We know that to truly serve as a viable transportation alternative for downtown employees, residents, and visitors, the system must grow. Our goal is to have at least 10 stations and 50 bikes in the next year or two.” In celebration of the new station installations, B-cycle is offering half-price memberships through September 30. “We want to give new members every reason to give B-cycle a try. To that end, we are offering annual memberships for just $30 when people join online at GreenvilleBcycle.com and use promo code BackToSchool2014.”
A partnership of local conservation group Upstate Forever and Greenville Health System (GHS), the program serves as a convenient means for active transportation around town. “B-cycle members have logged nearly 5,000 rides to date,” says GHS Community Relations Coordinator Rebecca Cooper. “Greenville Health System couldn’t be happier with the impact B-cycle is having in our community. We are confident that the program is encouraging people who are not avid bicyclists to give biking a try – whether for recreation, exercise or active transportation.”
Plans to expand the system to Cleveland Park have been in the works since late last year when City staff offered to assist with a station installation there. City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza, a Greenville B-cycle member himself, fully supports the program and looks forward to its expansion. “By opening a B-cycle station at the zoo entrance, we hope zoo patrons will park downtown and then B-cycle along the Swamp Rabbit Trail to the zoo. We see B-cycle as a convenient, affordable alternative for visitors and residents who want to get active and see the City without a vehicle.”
The plans for an installation at the Hughes Main Library of the Greenville County Library System took shape more recently. According to Executive Director Beverly James, “Hughes Main Library is a strategic location for a B-cycle station since thousands of residents frequent the library each month. All the organizations on Heritage Green are pleased to have this amenity available for campus visitors.”
Greenville B-cycle offers adult-sized bicycles that members can check out and return at conveniently located stations: Greenville Zoo, Hughes Main Library, County Square, Sterling Community Center, City Hall, the Greenville Transit Center and at the corners of College and North Main Street and Rhett and River Streets. Day memberships are $5 and can be purchased at kiosks or online. Annual memberships are $60 and can be purchased online only.
About Upstate Forever
Upstate Forever is a nonprofit, membership-based organization promoting sensible growth and the protection of special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Its three program areas are Land Trust, Sustainable Communities, and Clean Air and Water. Founded in 1998, Upstate Forever has nearly 2,000 members, two offices, and a staff of 18. For more information, visit www.upstateforever.org.
About Greenville Health System
Greenville Health System (GHS) is committed to medical excellence through patient care, research and education. GHS offers patients a comprehensive network of expertise and technologies through its medical campuses, tertiary medical center, research and education facilities, community hospitals, physician practices and numerous specialty services throughout upstate South Carolina. It is also home to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, a joint effort of USC and GHS.
Among the largest healthcare networks in the Southeast, this not-for-profit academic health center has 1,358 beds and 14 medical residency and fellowship programs. Recent honors include being named one of the Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks, Top 50 Teaching Hospitals and 10 Best-led Hospitals.
