Service update

City provides COVID-19 information for Zagster bike users

The city of Arcata recognizes that bicycles are a necessary and convenient transportation method for those seeking essential goods and services while COVID-19 shelter in place and social distancing orders are being implemented. Community members who are relying on the Zagster bike share program for transportation at this time are encouraged to take the following in to account when utilizing the service:

· Zagster uses independent contractors to maintain the majority of their bikes and has requested that all bikes be cleaned during their regular maintenance visits. However, Zagster cannot guarantee the timing or frequency of such cleaning and therefore do not want riders relying on these measures.

· If Zagster maintenance and cleaning is completed once every two weeks per Zagster’s regular maintenance schedule, it only takes one ride to contaminate those clean surfaces.

· During routine maintenance, Zagster’s independent contractors only touch bikes at the station, so they may miss a bike that is on a ride or off-station.

· The majority of Zagster bike fleets are exposed to direct sunlight, and ultraviolet light has its own disinfecting properties. This provides some natural disinfecting between touches by a rider or mechanic, but this should not be relied upon when utilizing their service during this pandemic.

· Zagster does not want riders counting on intermittent cleaning to ensure their safety, so they are encouraging riders to provide their own personal cleaning measures as they see fit both pre- and postride. This may include wiping down bikes with disinfectant wipes, wearing gloves and practicing good personal hygiene as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zagster has shared this messaging with all active riders via an email and in-app message.

For more information, visit zagster.com.

Visit cityofarcata.org for more updates, information and resources regarding COVID-19.