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Heartland B-cycle experienced record ridership during the 2015 College World Series, continuing a trend of record ridership during the CWS. From June 12th through June 24th, 1459 trips were taken by B-cycles throughout the Metro area for an average of 112 trips per day. That is more trips than were taken in all of 2011 or 2012. More trips were taken in the 13 day period than any month in the program's history except for May of 2015. With this increased ridership Heartland B-cycle set new records for:
Best day ever: 189 trips on Saturday 6/13
Best weekday ever: 141 trips on Wednesday 6/17
Best weekend ever: 345 trips taken Saturday 6/12 – Sunday 6/13
Best three day period: 415 trips taken Friday 6/19 through Sunday 6/21
Most days in a row over 100 trips: 5 days from 6/19 through 6/23.
“The College World Series always gets the best out of our bike sharing program,” said Ben Turner, Heartland B-cycle Program Director. “Between visitors seeking an exciting way to see Omaha, and locals looking for a way to beat traffic, people turn to bike sharing during the CWS. Even with our record ridership we have capacity to grow and serve even more people in the months and years to come!”
Additionally, dozens of people tried out bike sharing for the first time by parking at Midtown Crossing, picking up free passes, and riding to College World Series games.
“We believe programs like the partnership with Midtown Crossing are vital to encouraging a park-once culture in Omaha,” said Turner. "Parking at Midtown Crossing and riding to the games is a great way for people to enjoy all Midtown Crossing has to offer and enjoy physical activity, all while saving time and parking headaches.”
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Heartland B-cycle, a program of Live Well Omaha, is the Omaha metro areas bike sharing system with 31 stations and 152 bikes throughout Omaha and Council Bluffs. The iconic blue bikes feature lights, a built-in bike lock, and a handlebar basket to carry riders' belongings. For more information, visit http://heartland.bcycle.com/ Heartland B-cycle has received funding from: Nebraska Environmental Trust; Peter Kiewit Foundation; Sherwood Foundation; Blue Cross Blue Shield Nebraska; Iowa West Foundation; CHI Health; The Wellmark Foundation; Union Pacific; University of Nebraska, Omaha; National Park Service: Lewis & Clark Historic Trails and RTCA; Back to the River, LLC; Community Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW), PayPal; and ConAgra Foods.
Heartland B-cycle has partnered with four parking facilities* to offer a discount to help B-cycle users park and ride all day. Each parking facility will have a coupon good for a discount on the $6 FUN! Passes purchased by your party.
Midtown Crossing: $6 Coupon pick up: Delice (3201 Farnam St #6112). Nearest B-cycle station: Midtown Crossing: 32nd & Farnam
Ameristar: $1 Coupon pick up: Ameristar front desk (2200 River Rd). Nearest B-cycle station: Ameristar
10th & Jackson Garage: $1 Coupon pick up: Parking lot attendant. Nearest B-cycle station: 11th & Jackson
13th & Capitol Garage: $1 Coupon pick up: Parking lot attendants. Nearest B-cycle stations: 10th & Dodge or 14th & Douglas
10th & Cass 14th & Fahey 1516 Cuming St
*Parking rates vary by location.
By this time next week we will have 31 stations and 152 bikes in our system; not bad for a system that had 8 stations and 43 bikes this time last year. With this expanded network comes more opportunities to navigate our city by bicycle. As part of the changes to our system, Heartland B-cycle will be changing our membership pricing and structure. To make accessing the system easier than ever before, we have merged our Annual and Monthly passes into the Heartland Pass. The new membership will have all of the benefits of being an Annual Member, but will offer two different payment options. Starting today you will be able to pay for a Heartland Pass in two ways: monthly for $10/month or yearly to save $40. All passholders will be able to check out a bike directly from the dock with their B-card. The monthly payment option is new for Heartland B-cycle. Members who select monthly pay will have their account automatically billed each month and can cancel or reactivate at any time. We wanted to offer an easy, low-cost, affordable way for people to become a Heartland B-cycle member. Our new monthly pay membership is for perfect for anyone who is curious about B-cycle or wants to pay for their membership over time instead of all at once.
What better gift to give for the Holiday season than a key to a City? An Annual Membership to Heartland B-cycle is just that! With unlimited access to Heartland B-cycle's 31 stations throughout the metro area an Annual Membership to Heartland B-cycle IS your key to the City.
We have been working with our friend Kurt Elder (@KurtJamesElder) from the City of Lincoln Urban Development Department on analyzing anonmyous GPS data of B-cycle trips recently made available to us. Kurt has generated several images that are both interesting and instructive.
Regional View of All Unique GPS Points
The above map shows all of the places that B-cycles have been in the metro area. As you can see there is a broad range of locations and even a Taco Ride or two in there.
Regional 3-D Usage
On the above map the darker and taller the line, the more frequently a B-cycle has travelled along that segment. You begin to see clusters of activity along the Keystone and around the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. While the heaviest activities are in those areas, there is also activity throughout both Downtown and Aksarben Village as well as trips in between the two.
Aksarben Village 3-D Usage
This map looks north from the south side of Askarben Village. You can see that while B-cycles have been almost everywhere in the area, most people tend to go south on the Keystone.
Downtown 3-D Usage
This map is looking northwest into Downtown. As you can see most B-cycle trips tend to go along the Riverfront or across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and east into Council Bluffs. But there is also a lot of place to place trips taken as well.