Valparaiso is re-launching its bike share program. It lets you rent a bike at one of 10 docking stations around the city and then return it to any one of them.
Valpo Parks Assistant Director Kevin Nuppnau told the city's board of works last week that the program began in 2017. But it was suspended when COVID hit in 2020, and the original vendor went out of business last year.
"So we've had two years of no bike share program, and we're ready to bring it back," Nuppnau said.
Now, the board of works has agreed to re-launch the bike share program with a new vendor, Tandem Mobility, also known as Movatic.
"So basically, this company scratched off the Zagster logo and is putting their own logo on them. We had 10 stations, previously, with 36 bikes around town, three of which were on VU's campus. We're working on relocating them because they have opted out of the program," Nuppnau explained.
The bike share program will cost the city almost $65,000, which city officials hope to offset with corporate sponsorships. The program is expected to re-launch in April.
