Zagster Brings Bike Sharing to Corvallis

CORVALLIS, OR--(Marketwired - Jun 30, 2016) - Already one of the nation's best cities for cycling, Corvallis, Oregon, just got even better with the debut today of a new bike-share program, Pedal Corvallis. Launched in partnership between the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), the InterCommunity Health Network Community Care Organization, and the nation's leading bike-share provider, Zagster Inc., Pedal Corvallis provides all of Corvallis' residents and visitors with a convenient, affordable and healthy way to get around town.

"I'm delighted to welcome bike share to Corvallis," said Corvallis Mayor Biff Taber. "In a community that already values biking, this will only enhance our community's commitment to a healthy lifestyle and environment for everyone."

Starting today, 33 cruiser bikes and two trikes will be available at six stations for members to use for on-demand, local trips. Riders join the program by signing up for annual, monthly or three-day memberships. Rides for members -- who must be 18 or older -- are free for the first two hours, and then three dollars per hour after that.

Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber will unveil the program at a kickoff ceremony at 2 p.m. today at the Downtown Transit Center. The event will include a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with remarks from Mayor Traber and Dr. Larry Mullins, chief executive officer of Samaritan Health Services, followed by an inaugural ride around Central Park.

"With bike lanes on 98 percent of its arterial roads and a community in which one-quarter of residents regularly commute by bike, Corvallis is a perfect place for a municipal bike-share program," said Timothy Ericson, Zagster co-founder and CEO. "We hope riders embrace Pedal Corvallis and reinforce the city's reputation as one of the most bike-friendly places in America."

Partnering with Zagster has allowed OCWCOG to spearhead community outreach, connect with sponsors and bring on partners to broaden the initial launch of Pedal Corvallis. OCWCOG and IHN-CCO will continue local outreach and engagement to expand the program.

"We are excited to partner with the IHN-CCO and the city to bring bike share to Corvallis," said Fred Abousleman, executive director, OCWCOG. "Pedal Corvallis is a healthy and affordable way to meet the transportation needs of our Medicaid members and community in general. We thank our partners for their vision and for making this program a reality and we look forward to expanding bike share across the region."

Unlike other programs in which riders must drop off bikes at designated stations for every stop, Zagster's programs gives users the freedom to ride as long as they want, wherever they want. And because Zagster manages all aspects of its programs -- from bikes and technology, to maintenance and marketing -- Zagster partners can create and deploy scalable bike-share systems that best suit their communities.

Riding Pedal Corvallis is easy. Bikes can be found via the free Zagster Mobile App -- available for iPhone and Android -- or online at zagster.com/pedalcorvallis. Each bike has a unique number which riders enter into the app to obtain a single-use code to open the lockbox on the back of the bike. (Alternatively, riders can obtain unlock codes via text message.) A key, stored inside and tethered to the lockbox, allows the bike to be locked and unlocked throughout a ride. After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.

Pedal Corvallis features the Zagster 8, an award-winning bike known for its practical design, comfortable ride and easy handling. The bike includes a spacious basket that's perfect for carrying groceries, takeout, or personal belongings. And because rider safety is a priority, every bike includes automatic lights, a bell and full reflectors.

About Zagster 
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Zagster is the largest and fastest-growing bike-share provider in the United States. Zagster works directly with over 130 communities across North America to make scalable bike-sharing programs available in areas where traditional bike-share providers can't reach. The company's goal: To make the bike the most loved form of transportation.

More information about Zagster and its programs can be found at www.zagster.com.

About Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments
The Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), on behalf of the member governments, carries out a variety of local, state and federal programs. The majority of funding is provided by way of contracts to administer specific services. As an Oregon intergovernmental entity, OCWCOG can provide for, or on behalf of, its member governments any service that they are authorized to provide. Whether it is helping a business find appropriate capital, helping seniors and persons with disabilities plan for independent living, or coordinating local roads improvement priorities, OCWCOG offers these and many other innovative services to the local governments and residents of Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. For more information about OCWCOG and its programs, visit www.OCWCOG.org; for more information about Pedal Corvallis, visit www.OCWCOG.org/pedal.