Two hundred seafoam green e-bikes will hit the streets of Syracuse today, as city officials introduce a new e-bike system they hope will provide residents and visitors with affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly transportation.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the city’s plans to implement a bike-share program in Syracuse in January of last year. Last summer, city lawmakers voted and approved Gotcha Bikes to set up shop across the city and the Syracuse University campus, and state lawmakers voted to legalize use of e-bikes and e-scooters last month.

The chosen operator - Gotcha Bike - is a mobility-as-a-service, or MaaS, company that offers e-bike, e-scooter and e-trike services through an app-based platform, currently operating in 100 cities and universities across the country.

The #GotchaGang has been hard at work. 💪 Why? Because pretty soon, you’ll be able to go for a Syracruise with our new... Posted by Gotcha on Tuesday, July 2, 2019

The bikes, operated by an electric motor, are GPS-monitored and can go 40 miles on a single charge. They are designed with electronic pedal-assist technology and strong tires for hilly topography conditions and winter weather. Users can download the Gotcha app, find a hub, scan the QR code on the bike’s handlebars and ride off. For a one-time ride, users will be charged $2, or 15 cents for each minute. Monthly and yearly subscriptions are also available through the company’s app.

“This program makes it easier for people to get around and see the city while reducing congestion and pollution—all while promoting active transportation,” Walsh said in a press release.

The City of Syracuse will launch its bike-share program 200 Gotcha bikes stationed around the city and Syracuse University campus on Tuesday, July 9. Photo provided by Gotcha.

To celebrate the launch of the bike-share program, a free event will take place tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. on Warren Street in front of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. The event will feature an official ribbon cutting, a speech from Mayor Walsh, live music, food trucks and free e-bike rides. More information about the event can be found on Gotcha’s Facebook event page.

A map of numbered Gotcha Bike hub locations around Syracuse. Photo provided by Tajuana Ceutti-Brown.

Where to find your next ride

There are 35 hubs around the City of Syracuse and Syracuse University. The network of hubs is designed to connect riders to the city’s existing bike lanes, as well as multiple bus stations. The locations are as follows and correspond with the map above.

1. 500 E. Genesee St. — Genesee & Townsend

2. Syracuse Hotel Garage — Salina & Harrison

3. Creekwalk Armory — Fayette & Walton

4. Civic Center — Montgomery & Madison

5. Fayette & Montgomery

6. Fire Station #12 — Wallace & Genesee

7. Hanover Square — Water & Salina

8. Warren St — Warren & Onondaga

9. Compass Square — Erie & Franklin

10. Creekwalk Trailhead — Bear & Van Rensselaer

11. Franklin Square — Solar & Plum

12. N. Salina St — Salina & Division

13. Samaritan Center — State & Willow

14. St. Joe’s Training Center — Salina & Butternut

15. Southside Gateway — South & Onondaga

16. Center of Excellence — Almond & Washington

17. Marshall St — University & Marshall

18. Leavenworth Park — Wilkinson & Barker

19. Skiddy Park — Otisco & Tioga

20. WCNY — Wyoming & Fayette

21. Gear Factory — Fayette & Geddes

22. Salina & Jefferson

23. James & Oak

24. Lawrinson Dorm/Garage

25. Bird Library

26. South Campus Student Center

27. Wilson Park — Jackson & McBride

28. Rose Garden — University & Thornden

29. Westcott — Harvard & Westcott

30. Westcott & Euclid

31. Inner Harbor — Court & Creekwalk

32. Hawley Green — Gertrude & Lodi

33. White Branch Library — Alvord & Butternut

34. Southwest Community Center — Clover & South

35. Syracuse Stage — Genesee & Irving