Pace bike share now a transportation option in Tallahassee

Mayor Gillum and Zagster affiliates cut the ribbon to introduce Tallahassee’s partnership with Pace. Photo by Cedrell Mitchell

By Cedrell Mitchell
Outlook writer

An idea that almost did not get off the ground in Tallahassee finally has bikers rolling around the city two years later.

 
Local cycling groups have been talking about the idea of bike-sharing for several years; however, the City Commission rejected the idea as being too expensive, following a 2012 assessment. Four years later, city officials began to seek information on the concept of bike sharing.
Seven companies submitted plans for bike-sharing and after seven months a selection committee gave Zagster the nod.

 
The partnership with the city recently came to fruition, as Zagster launched its new bike-share line called Pace.

 
Tallahassee was recently named one of the 50 best bike cities in America by the Bicycling Magazine.

 
Pace bikes are strategically located around the city at places such as Gaines Street and Cascade Park, Railroad square, All Saints, College Town and Lake Ella.

 
“It’s surprisingly a good city for bicycling as the mayor (Andrew Gillum) said really investing in multi-level transportation by making the city more livable and walkable,”  said Jon Terbush, communication manager for Zagster. “Bike-sharing is a natural component that goes along with that.”

Pace bike station infront of TCC. Photo by Cedrell Mitchell

Officials expressed optimism that the innovation of bike-sharing will grow in Tallahassee.

 
“Not only do we have a built-in audience of over 70,000 students you also have the benefit that we slip the shadows of the state capital,” said Gillum.

 
Pace bike-share is not only cost efficient for those who prefer to ride a bike instead of driving an automobile, but  it also advocates the diligence of exercising while arriving to a riders destination.

 
“It will improve health complications, less pollution, livability of the city more local spending and more attraction for tourist,” said Hans Van Tol, president of Capitol City Cyclist.

 
Pace’s target market is small cities and college towns like Tallahassee and officials are anticipating that having the bike-share will drastically ease parking issues in the city.

 
Renting a bike is easy. Riders simply download the Pace bike-share application or visit ridepace.com. Using the bike will cost $1 for every half hour. At the end of the rental, the bike could be returned to any of the Pace locations.

 
“With Pace, riders can begin and end rides at any bike rack throughout the city both Pace and public bike racks,” said Elana Boehm, Zagster’s General Manager of New Markets. “Pace has a two-point security system ensuring security (for bikes) that are not in use.”