The Saratogian (Saratoga, NY)

CDTA bike-share program a hit so far

More than 4,500 rides recorded in first month

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The Capital District Transporta­tion Authority recorded more than 4,500 trips in the first month of its new bicycle-sharing service, CDPHP Cycles!

In its first month of operation, the service, sponsored by local health insurer CDPHP, recorded 4,568 trips in the four cities where the service is being offered: Albany, Schenectad­y, Troy, and Saratoga Springs, according to a news release from CDTA.

“We are excited to see so many people using CDPHP Cycle! in the Capital Region,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “Bringing a deep and wide menu of mobility options to the region, all under one umbrella, is what our vision has been from the beginning. When we set out to make this project a reality, there was certainly excitement surroundin­g it, but we are

encouraged by the number of members, and rides taken so far, and only expect those numbers to increase as we finish out the riding season.”

According to CDTA, trips in Albany are primarily being used to commute, while users in Saratoga Springs are renting the bikes mainly for recreation­al purposes. With college students returning throughout the region this week, CDTA officials expect ridership to increase.

“I’m thrilled that CDPHP Cycle! has had such a positive influence on our community in such a short amount of time,” said Dr. John D. Bennett, president and CEO of CDPHP. “I was particular­ly encouraged to hear that users are driving less and moving more, and that, thus far, over 480,000 calories have been burned as a result.”

Riders may purchase a membership or load a payas-you-go account by registerin­g online or downloadin­g the CDPHP Cycle! mobile app. The service is expected to end Nov. 30 and resume April 1, 2018, with 160 more bikes in circulatio­n and additional bike stations to be available.

For more informatio­n, including additional rental fees, rack locations and more, visit www.cdphpcycle.com.

According to CDTA, trips in Albany are primarily being used to commute, while users in Saratoga Springs are renting the bikes mainly for recreation­al purposes. With college students returning throughout the region this week, CDTA officials expect ridership to increase.

 ?? FILE PHOTO ?? Bike racks like this one in Albany’s Washington Park can be found in four Capital Region cities hosting CDPHP Cycle!, the Capital District Transporta­tion Authority’s new bike-share program.
FILE PHOTO Bike racks like this one in Albany’s Washington Park can be found in four Capital Region cities hosting CDPHP Cycle!, the Capital District Transporta­tion Authority’s new bike-share program.

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