Beginning in June, Wake Forest will offer a new way to get around town.
In April the town commissioners approved a two-year agreement that allows the dockless bicycle-sharing company, LimeBike, to offer bicycles for a fee anywhere in the town limits. As part of the initiative, LimeBike will bring approximately 200 bright green-colored bicycles to Wake Forest and place them in clusters in high traffic areas around town, including downtown and in parks and greenways. There will only be one size of bicycle though LimeBike plans to add another style later.
Each bike comes enabled with GPS and 3G technology. Once the bicycles are in place, customers must simply download the free LimeBike app onto their smartphone to access available LimeBikes. Then, using a QR code on their smartphone, customers scan the license plate on the bicycle, which unlocks the bicycle for usage. The customer can then ride the bicycle to one destination or several.
Once the user’s destination is reached, the customer simply rescans the license plate to lock the bicycle in place, which also turns off the charging timer.
LimeBike utilizes a dock-free network which allows users freedom and flexibility in picking up bikes wherever they are available and leaving them wherever the ride ends for another customer to utilize. However, customers are urged to be considerate when leaving bikes by not leaving them on private property and not blocking pedestrian/wheelchair paths, access, driveways, crosswalks and loading zones.
The cost to rent a LimeBike is minimal. A 30-minute LimeBike ride costs $1, but college students can access a LimeBike at discounted rates – 50 cents per half-hour.
As part of its agreement with the Town, LimeBike will monitor, service and manage all bicycles in Wake Forest. The company will also maintain a presence in Wake Forest to ensure service is prompt and expeditious.
In an effort to limit vandalism and prevent theft, each bike’s GPS system will allow LimeBike to keep track of every apparatus at all times. The bikes are also equipped with an alarm system that will sound an alert in the event someone attempts to move the bike without proper access. In addition, all LimeBike parts are proprietary, which means that if someone takes a wheel or another part off a LimeBike, it will not fit into any other bike model.
Wake Forest plans to officially launch the LimeBike program as part of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2, at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.
For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/bike-share.aspx or contact Transportation Planning Manager Suzette Morales at 919-435-9512 or smorales@wakeforestnc.gov
