More Marion County Residents using Pacers Bikeshare program since free rides program launch

More Marion County residents are riding Pacers Bikeshare bikes than ever before.

That’s due in large part to the Indy Rides Free program that launched in May, which is also when the e-bike program launched. Unseasonably warm weather has also increased ridership in recent months.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail runs the bike share program. Since the Indy Rides Free launch, they’ve seen a 51 percent increase in ridership from the previous high for Pacers Bikeshare. Almost 80 percent of all riders used the IndyRides free program. A majority of recent cyclists chose to use e-bikes.

The free program allows Marion County residents to ride any Pacers Bikeshare bike or e-bike for up to 30 minutes.

Alex Kuhn has been a regular user of Indy Rides Free since its launch. He said he uses the bikes almost every day.

“The amount of stations downtown makes it really convenient to get anywhere I need. There’s a lot of stations near the regular places I like to go,” Kuhn said.

Kuhn said he appreciates that the program adds another transit option for Marion County residents in addition to driving, walking, or taking the bus.

“This adds a fourth dimension of travel that has really added a lot of flexibility for me as someone who lives and works downtown,” he said.

Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, said the increase in popularity of the bikeshare program is “a reflection of the ongoing growth of Indy’s growing bicycle culture, as well as people looking for ways to live in Indianapolis without a car.”

Pacers Bikeshare currently has 51 docking stations scattered around the city. Two more stations will open later this month in the Elevator Hill neighborhood.