METUCHEN — Borough residents trekked some 750 miles, spent 200 hours, and made 459 trips in the 10 days since LimeBike was launched on Aug. 25.
Councilman Todd Pagel, who updated the Borough Council on the program at a meeting on Sept. 4, said one of the benefits of the program aside from the bikes is the real-time data borough officials can gather from LimeBike.
“Metuchen residents have saved 529 pounds of carbon in the last 10 days,” he said.
He also touched on other benefits, such as exercise and fewer people in cars.
The borough launched the pilot program with 50 bicycles. Pagel said he, along with the Traffic and Transportation Committee and the council, will continue to analyze data during the pilot program and decide if the number of bicycles need to be increased or decreased.
In May, council members authorized a one-year pilot program contract with LimeBike, a San Mateo, California, tech mobility company. There is no cost to Metuchen.
LimeBike, which was launched in June 2017, aims to provide a sustainable solution to the first and last mile transportation problem. The company operates bicycle sharing systems in several cities and college campuses across the United States, using a mobile app for reservations.
Pagel said he, along with the Traffic and Transportation Committee, have received personal stories of people using LimeBike.
“A young mother in town with three children, who was about to miss her train, hopped on a LimeBike in the morning and was able to make it to her train,” he said. “Another resident, who has been walking to her train for the past 15 years, started riding a LimeBike and her commute was 18 minutes and is now five minutes … that is two extra hours a week she gets to spend with her family, shop downtown or do another recreational activity.”
Pagel, who is a teacher in the Edison Township School District, said a colleague shared a story that she traveled to Metuchen to try out the LimeBike.
“These were some really great stories to hear,” he said.
Pagel said concerns were at a minimal with the launch. He said the number one issue that remains is finding parking for the LimeBikes, which is continually being looked at.
“I think Metuchen residents have done a phenomenal job deliberately parking the LimeBikes and keeping them away from anyone tripping on them,” he said. “Some people have called me to say they saw a LimeBike in the middle of the way and they moved it … that is the kind of community that we are in.”
Mayor Jonathan Busch said in the beginning of the discussion on LimeBikes, he had his doubts.
“It’s a very different kind of program that we’ve done here before,” he said. “I’ve [used LimeBike twice] … if nothing else, it’s fun, something to try out. If you need to get somewhere quickly with no car it’s great.”
Busch said as Metuchen becomes more and more pedestrian friendly, he hopes the LimeBike program continues in the direction it is going.
“So far so good,” he said.
During the pilot program, LimeBike will collect and share ridership data with the Bike Share Task Force. As part of the process, LimeBike will offer promotional materials, helmets and bike safety demonstrations.
An individual will use the LimeBike app to find a bicycle nearby using GPS. Once a bicycle is located, the individual can scan the bicycle with his/her smartphone app to unlock the bicycle and start a ride. The bicycle can be parked and locked wherever a bicycle is allowed.
A LimeBike ride will cost $1 per 30 minutes. For students, faculty and staff, the cost will be 50 cents per 30 minutes.
Individuals may purchase LimePrime for $29.95 per month, which includes $500 in ride credits. For students, faculty and staff, LimePrime costs $14.95 per month and includes $100 in ride credits.
LimeBike will work with low-income residents and residents who do not have a credit card or a smartphone so everyone can take advantage of the pilot program. The company will hire one full-time employee and three part-time employees to manage the pilot program. LimeBike plans to rent space locally to house bicycles that need to be fixed or redistributed.