By Anna Skinner
On April 14, City of Carmel Mayor James Brainard officially introduced a bike share program to be established in two locations in Carmel. One will be at City Center next to The Palladium, the other at the Arts Design District near Bazbeaux’s Pizza.
Zagster is an easy-to-access bike rental rack that includes 16 adult bicycles and six adult tricycles. Anyone on the Monon can stop at the bike rental station and rent a bike through the Zagster mobile application. By entering the bike number into the application, renters will get a lock code to unlock the bike. They can bring the lock with them so they are able to stop their bike along the Monon to shop or eat. The app is simple, and renters use their credit card number to pay for the bike rental.
This Zagster location is the only one in the country to include adult tricycles, and that installation came from the request of former Carmel mayor Jane Reiman, who said that at her age she did not necessarily feel comfortable on a bike, but that she would ride a tricycle.
“There may be a lot of people in that category or certain kids with various disabilities that can’t be balanced on a regular bike, but can handle a trike,” Brainard said. “Zagster very quickly got us tricycles to include in the program.”
Carmel has more than 170 miles of bike trails. The American Cyclist Association recognizes Carmel as a bicycle friendly community, and the City of Carmel likes to encourage a healthy mode of transportation.
Brainard said that on a nice day, the Monon can see up to 10,000 travelers.
To learn more about Zagster, visit their website at zagster.com/carmel.
