City announces expansion for bike share program

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Melissa Mitman

Indego bike share will grow by more than 30 new stations and 400 electric bikes with a specific focus on expanding service further into West and South Philadelphia, while also introducing stations along Kelly Drive to East Falls, according to its newly released Expansion Plan. This expansion follows a successful 2021 season that has seen record ridership and the addition of 25 new stations and 300 additional electric-assist bicycles.

“The City’s bike share system, Indego, continues to provide Philadelphians new, safe, and sustainable mobility options for all. Indego played an especially significant role in 2020 and will continue to do so going forward because of increased demand for biking due to the pandemic,” said Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement. “I’m proud of the work of the city, Bicycle Transit Systems staff, Independence Blue Cross, partners, and community leaders to ensure that as the system expands into new neighborhoods it remains accessible and affordable for low-income riders.”

Last year, the City of Philadelphia announced that Bicycle Transit Systems had been awarded a ten-year concessionaire contract to continue to operate and expand the Indego system. Since its launch in 2015, Indego has expanded from 60 stations and 600 bicycles to more than 165 stations and over 1,500 bicycles, including the introduction of electric bikes in 2019.

“Bike Transit is proudly a Philadelphia-based and woman-owned business. Today we are investing in the system that put our company on the map by leading the charge on an aggressive expansion plan that puts our equity goals and values into practice. Indego has continued to experience tremendous success with record ridership in 2021, and we’re eagerly looking forward to continued success in 2022 and beyond,” said Kristin Gavin-Wisniewski, Indego General Manager, and newly named CEO of Bike Transit.

Indego’s newest expansion efforts are part of a larger, five-year expansion plan in which the size of the system will double in size, allowing Indego to reach more communities within South, West, North, and Northwest Philadelphia.

For 2022, new stations will start arriving in early spring. Indego is seeking recommendations, and Philadelphians can submit a station suggestion online at www.rideindego.com