WE-cycle Launches Bike Sharing and Bike Adoption Program

Aspen will be the first resort community in the country to adopt a bike-sharing program this spring, but organizers of the WE-cycle program are allowing supporters to start personalizing bikes now. For $1,500, a person or group can inscribe a 45-character message on the fender of the bike, or $5,000 for four bikes. The gesture is a way to honor or celebrate a person or memory, and give a little personality to each of the 100 bikes set to launch the program in May.

Ten kiosks will be stationed throughout Aspen, and riders can check out a bike for up to a half hour for free. After the first 30 minutes, day passes will be available for $5 to $8. The program is designed for short trips, and not meant to serve as a bike rental service. Ideally, users could ride from Gondola Plaza to the Post Office in a couple minutes without making the 15-minute walk across town.

WE-cycle has been in the works for two years, and will officially hit the streets in May with 10 kiosks. With private and government entities covering nearly two-thirds of the $650,000 needed, organizers are hoping the “adoption” process for bikes will help to raise the remaining expenses. Bike sharing will continue through November of each year.

Currently, there are more than 450 communities worldwide with bike-share programs. For more information, visit here.