ROANOKE, Va. – Starting Wednesday, a new way to travel is available in Roanoke City. The long-awaited Zagster bike share program is open for riders.



Through the bike share program, 50 cruiser bikes are available at 10 different stations throughout Roanoke.

During a news conference held Wednesday, RIDE Solutions and Zagster Inc, in a partnership with the city of Roanoke and Carilion Clinic, made the announcement that the program will immediately become available to residents and visitors.

Ride Solutions Director Jeremy Homes has been working on the project for more than half a year. He said although the service is typically offered in larger cities like Washington, D.C. through the help of multiple private donors, Zagster was able to set up shop in Roanoke.



Lead funding for the project came from the Carilion Clinic, and supplemental funding came from the Allegheny Partners, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Downtown Roanoke Inc., Garland Properties, RGM communities, Richmond Loft Co., Roanoke Natural Foods, Access Advertising, CitySpace and Freedom First Credit Union.

Bikes are available to members for $40 per year and offered to students at a discounted rate of $30 per year. Riders can pay by the hour, or join the program by signing up for an annual membership. Rides for members, who must be 18 or older, are free for the first hour, and then $3 per hour after that. Nonmembers may rent them for $3 per hour.



"This is going to add to our outdoor amenities; lifestyle amenities. We are becoming an increasingly great place to live in these urban villages and urban centers, and this going to really enable people to enjoy that quality of life,” Holmes said.

Bikes and memberships can be found via the free Zagster Mobile App available for iPhone and Android or online at zagster.com/ridesolutions.