The "Need A Lift?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Chilly with highs expected to only get into the mid-30s today.  I'm on my way back to my car which is parked near Lancaster's Central Market in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Market day and I thought I should stop and pick up a couple of Long Johns for Carol and me.  The cream-filled Long Johns are one of my favorite treats so what better reason do I need to go to market.  

Bicycles lined up near Lancaster's Central Market.

As I entered the parking lot near the market I realized I must have missed seeing the long line of bikes at the front of the lot when I first parked my car.  Stopped to read the sign by the bikes and realized I had read about these bikes in the newspaper a short time ago.  Seems that Lancaster is partnering with Zagster, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company that provides an inclusive "turnkey" package.  Zagster's rental system is app-based.  You download the app from an app store or go to: bike.zagster.com/lancasaterpa and register as well as provide your credit card information.  

The basket on the bike tells your location.

When you need a lift, use the app to find the closest bike station.  The bikes are numbered so you need to input a bike number into your device to get the code to unlock the bike.  When you're done riding it you put the bike back and lock it once again.  If you don't have a smart phone you can use a flip phone and rent bikes by using a text message and getting details.  All bikes have locks so if you stop somewhere you can secure the bike if needed.  

A map of Lancaster with bike locations.
Click to enlarge.

In Lancaster there are 30 bikes that are distributed amongst six locations.  Each station has a Lancaster Safety Coalition's security camera near it.  The bikes are pretty neat.  They are 7-speed "cruiser" models and have adjustable seats, front and rear lights and a basket on the handlebars.  You can ride to another town and leave the bike if you care.  There are bike shops that are helping with the project and they will make sure bikes are distributed equally to all locations.  Each city in the program obtains sponsors that contributes money to the program.  Zagster's clients include cities, companies and colleges.  They recently opened their 200th ride-share station.  The city of Lancaster has been busy the past few weeks painting bike lanes on the streets of Lancaster.  So, how much does it cost to borrow a bike to get around town or between towns?  Basic rate is $2.50 per hour, up to $25 per ride.  

Another city location at Chestnut and Duke.

If you take the bike home with you they charge you $30 for 24 hours.  There is an annual membership fee of $25 to belong to Zagster if you care to join.  Those with a membership get trips up to 2 hours for free and then pay the $2.50 per hour fee after the two hours.  I checked out the site online and found answers to a few questions that I had.  You may only get one bike for yourself.  If your bike breaks down there is an online number to call.  Same goes if you find you can't lock the bike to something.  And, if someone steals the bike, call Zagster and they will tell you what to do.  Pretty neat idea if you have to travel a short distance and you don't want to take your car.  I will admit that I traveled to four of the bike locations and found very few bikes missing from the racks.  Hope the idea works in Lancaster.  Would be nice to get some of the cars off the city streets.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

At each location the are instructions to guide you.

This station is at the Amtrak Train Station located north of the city.  This station has a place to make sure the tires are properly inflated.