By Angel Trinh
April 24, 2018

Bike Share parking in The Railyard

A ribbon cutting launch for BikeLNK planned for Friday has been postponed until April 20 due to inclement weather forecasted. 

According to BikeLNK Manager Jamie Granquist, the program will have a soft launch next week when bikes will start being available to the public.

BikeLNK is a bike sharing system that allows the public to utilize bicycles for a short period of time with a fee of $3 for 30 minutes. Discussions about implementing a bike share system started in 2014 by community leaders, UNL students and staff and the City of Lincoln. Excitement ensued quickly so the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department began to look for ways to make it a reality.

Bike sharing systems are said to be crucial to attracting young professional residents and improving tourist access to businesses and attractions. They are also touted by proponents as working to strengthen the public transportation system and promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging active commuting. The City of Lincoln has been awarded a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant of $600,000 which will be utilized to host 19 rental stations throughout downtown Lincoln and both UNL’s downtown and East campuses.

“We want Lincoln to have a successful system for a bicycle transportation option,” said BikeLNK Manager, Jamie Granquist. “I personally would like to see more users of the infrastructure we currently have, so that we are thought of in future projects, planned for in current projects, and seen more by other users as ‘expected and equal’, which makes us all safer.”

Using the bike system costs $3 per half hour, but there are three different options for access passes. The first one is called the Visiting Voyager pass that offers unlimited rides during 72 hours for only $10. The Monthly Member pass provides unlimited access to BikeLNK for 31 days at a cost of $12. The final option lasts an entire year with the Aluminum Access pass for $80.

“We hope that people love the system and see the value of using a bike to get around the Capital City, choosing to see this great town of ours by bike,” said Granquist. “Slow down, enjoy the sights, and embrace the active lifestyle of bike share.”

Angel Trinh is an editorial intern with KZUM.