Community Partnership Brings Dock-Free Bikeshare to Northern Nevada

LimeBike will roll out bikes in Reno, Sparks, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, University of Nevada, Reno and Washoe County during National Bike to Work Week.

RENO, Nevada (May 1, 2018) — LimeBike, the leading U.S. smart mobility company, is coming to the Reno-Sparks area as part of a regional effort to enhance mobility in the Truckee Meadows region.

Five local entities — the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, University of Nevada, Reno and Washoe County — are launching a regional pilot program to test dock-free bikeshare throughout the community. The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County has also been an essential partner that brought the entities together to explore bikeshare as a mobility solution to better serve citizens and visitors.

Through a competitive process, LimeBike was selected as the bikeshare equipment vendor and system operator. The system will launch a pilot program in the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Washoe County beginning on May 14 during National Bike to Work Week, which runs from May 13-18, 2018, and will launch at the University of Nevada, Reno campus on May 21. Riders can use the promo code LIMERENO to receive $3 in ride credits.

“May 14th will mark a new day for Reno-area transportation, as we are truly excited to deploy nearly 1,000 LimeBike bicycles into the Truckee Meadows community,” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said. “The implementation of LimeBike in our region will include the latest national and state safety requirements, advanced mobile technology and continued interaction with users such as surveys. I’m particularly glad that our students and seniors will be able to use these services at a discounted rate.”

All bikes are GPS and 3G-enabled, making it simple for riders to find, unlock and pick up a nearby bike using the iOS or Android smartphone app. When the ride is finished, riders simply lock the bike’s back wheel and responsibly park between the pedestrian-designated sidewalk and the street curb, or at a bike rack.

“We hope the implementation of this exciting new bikeshare program will encourage our residents to be active and enjoy the many outdoor activities and events throughout our region,” Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said. “Bringing LimeBike into the region has been a great collaborative effort, and we look forward to a new transportation option that also improves urban sustainability.”

LimeBike is proud to serve the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony as the first bikeshare company to launch on a Native American reservation. “The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony is pleased to work with all of the partners in the region to bring this innovative transportation option to the area. Even though there are over 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States, all Native American communities are traditionally linked to our environment. Caring for mother earth with LimeBike fits our tribal values,” RSIC Chairman Arlan D. Melendez said.

“This new partnership provides a healthy transportation alternative to our students, faculty and staff, which is something they have expressed a keen interest in,” University of Nevada, Reno President Marc Johnson said. “Additionally, it furthers our commitment to efforts that help connect the University to the community, truly making this a University town.”

The regional system will allow riders to pick up and drop off bikes anywhere in the service area, providing unlimited access to reliable transportation. LimeBike’s rides cost just $1, or 50 cents for students, seniors and low-income residents, per 30-minute time block.

“It has been a truly collaborative effort to get to our LimeBike pilot program launch,” Washoe County Commission Chair Marsha Berkbigler said. “A bicycle sharing system for our community began back in 2015 with a feasibility study, and along the way our partners have worked together to host public forums and discussions with a broad range of stakeholders, researched best practices in other communities from concept to implementation, all to ensure this would be a sustainable fit for our residents. I am so pleased after a long path, we will be launching this program.”

Participating entities will host a joint inaugural unlocking event at Reno City Plaza on May 14 to officially kick off the program during National Bike to Work Week. Bikes will be placed in the community throughout the week, with the University receiving LimeBikes later on May 21. More details will be released prior to May 14.

“Not only are we excited to make our first launch in Nevada, we are thrilled that this has been a regional, collaborative effort to provide a new affordable, sustainable transportation solution to Truckee Meadows community,” said Gabriel Scheer, LimeBike Director of Strategic Development.

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About LimeBike
LimeBike is revolutionizing mobility in cities and campuses by empowering residents with a greener, more efficient, and affordable transportation option that also improves urban sustainability. By partnering with local key stakeholders and systematically deploying a fleet of smart-bikes and scooters that are enabled with GPS, wireless technology, and self-activating locks, LimeBike will dramatically improve urban mobility by making the first and last mile faster, cheaper, and healthier for riders. Since launching in June 2017, the company has logged over 1.5 million trips, expanded internationally to Europe, and deployed electric scooters, electric-assist bikes, and multiple models of their standard pedal bike. Funded by Silicon Valley’s leading VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, LimeBike is based in San Mateo, CA. Learn more at limebike.com.

LIMEBIKE MEDIA CONTACT:
Emma Green
press@limebike.com
434-316-3053