More Options For RTD Riders Via New B-Cycle Hub At Union Station
DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver B-cycle program hopes new train commuters will cruise through downtown on a bike.
Michael Herman has a long commute, but he doesn't mind. He takes the easy way to work -- the bus from Boulder to Union Station, and then a B-cycle the rest of the way.
"I don't have to worry about traffic, wear and tear of my car. I do have a bike but it's convenient to grab B-cycle because a lot of times on the bus there might not be a spot to store the bike, so I don't have to worry about that," Herman said.
It's so easy that he gets to park at the B-cycle station right out the front door of his office off Speer Boulevard.
"Get some exercise in, get a spot right in front – yeah, it's nice," he said.
Herman is part of a growing trend of commuters who use bus or rail and bike to and from work. That's why Denver B-cycle just put in its largest bike station yet near Union Station.
"We want to be the transit solution for trips that are two miles or less in duration," said Nick Bohnenkamp, Denver B-cycle Executive Director.
Bohnenkamp pedaled over to tell CBS4 how they hope to capitalize with the new station.
"Commuters come in from all around the region, hop off those RTD modes of choice, come right up the escalator, pop out a bike and ride to their final destination," he said.
It's easy to use the bikes. Use a credit card to buy a pass at the kiosk. Try it for $15 for a month or $135 for a year. Then get unlimited rides under 30 minutes. The miles, savings on gas, and exercise benefits can really add up.
"Since I've been commuting the last eight months, it's been about 300 miles," Herman said.
Altogether, B-cycle riders pedaled 733,000 miles last year and burned 3.4 million calories.
Denver B-cycle figures about 30 percent of its riders use the bikes to commute to and from work or school.
LINK: Denver B-Cycle