When asked to name the nation’s top biking cities, surely Seattle is among the top mentions. The Pacific Northwest is generally thought of as the unofficial epicenter of America’s biking culture, with other major hubs like Boston (The Hub) not far behind. Interestingly, though, it wasn’t until Tuesday, October 14, that the Emerald City debuted its first bike-share, called Pronto Cycle Share.
Bicycling magazine’s 2014 rankings of best U.S. cities for biking included Seattle at number eight, San Francisco at number seven and Portland at number four, respectively, exemplifying just how dominant that corner of the country really is when it comes to cycling.
After all, Cambridge ranked 10th and Boston ranked 16th.
Pronto Cycle Share will give Seattle a hefty 500 bikes to work with over 50 stations. The bikes are of the seven-speed variety and the docking stations operate on solar power. Stations can be found in the University District, Eastlake, South Lake Union, Belltown, Downtown, Pioneer Square, the International District, Capitol Hill and First Hill. Fittingly, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray took one of Pronto’s two-wheelers for the inaugural ride.
“This is an important day for the city of Seattle as we introduce new, progressive transportation options to residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Murray in a statement. “I am proud that Seattle has reached this milestone and look forward to expanding the program to additional Seattle neighborhoods next year.”
Added Holly Houser, Pronto Cycle Share executive director, “We are thrilled to introduce bike share today to one of the nation’s most zealous cycling communities. This is a service Seattle residents and transportation advocates have long asked for and we’re excited to answer that demand today by rolling out Pronto Cycle Share.”
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, wearing a helmet while riding a bike is not a state law in Washington. Seattle, however, as part of King Country, requires people of all ages to don the protective head gear.
For this reason, Pronto included helmet distribution as part of its safety regulations and compliance standards. Users are able to check out a helmet once they’ve unlocked their bike and simply return it when its time to dock it upon completion. Alta Bicycle Share, operator of city bike-share systems, notes that helmets are then collected and cleaned before being put back into circulation.
In 2013, HelmetHub launched a pilot program in tandem with Boston’s bike-share system Hubway. Marketing manager Benjy Kantor told BostInno that while HelmetHub helmets are available to anyone at $2 for a 24-hour helmet rental, or $20 to purchase a helmet from a HelmetHub machine, some people qualify for a free helmet rental.
“Helmets are provided by Boston Bikes at no cost to those who qualify for subsidized Hubway memberships, and low-cost helmets are available (also through Boston Bikes) via Hubway’s website,” Kantor said.
He also mentioned that helmets are available through the Melbourne, Australia bike-share system, and Seattle’s is the first in the U.S. to offer helmets as a package deal with a bike rental.
For more information about Pronto Cycle Share, be sure to check out their website here.
Happy cycling!
