The City of New Albany is launching a bike share program to encourage more people to explore the community on bicycle. The City recently adopted the Engage New Albany Strategic Plan. Over a thousand residents participated in that plan, and one of their recommendations was to improve cycling accommodations.
Launching a bike share program is just one way that we can make our community even more bicycle friendly. A program like this also supports two of New Albany’s four pillars – health & wellness and environmental sustainability. Thanks to sponsorship from Dream Industries, which is a New Albany business in the New Albany International Business Park, we will be launching the City’s first ever bike share program on May 3 with ten bicycles. Bikes will be available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis. This allows each bike to serve several users per day.
The City’s initial goal with this bike share program is to help the employees of our business park venture into town to experience New Albany like a local. With those employees in mind, we are placing the bike station near the southwest corner of New Albany-Condit Road and Walton Parkway.
You can learn more about the program by reading the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Albany Bike Share Program?
The New Albany Bike Share Program is a public bicycle-sharing program available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis. This allows each bike to serve several users per day.
How do I rent a bike?
The user must have a smart phone and a credit card. Download the MOVATIC App to your smart phone, create an account, enter your credit card number and follow the prompts. Location services and Bluetooth must be enabled on your smart phone for the system to work.
Where can I rent a bike?
The bike station is located near the southwest corner of New Albany-Condit Road and Walton Parkway. Check the app first for bike availability as bikes may be in use or in maintenance mode.
RENT: Use the App to locate the site of your bike station:
- Add user credit card and contact information.
- Stand within arms-length of the bike rack.
- Input the number of the bike that is available to rent. The bike number is below the bike seat.
- Select the bike you wish to ride on the App.
- You will hear the bike unlock and see the lock blink.
- Pull the bike back from the bike rack within 10 seconds.
- The App has a Retry Button feature to add another 10 second window if you missed the original 10 second window.
- Bikes will show RENT as available. If the App shows NOT IN RANGE, then the bike is unavailable to rent.
Helpful Hints: Make sure the bike stand is up before pulling the bike back. The bike will re-lock after 10 seconds
RIDE: Bikes are available to ride from 7 a.m. to dusk daily.
RETURN: Position the bike with the electronic receiver over the pin on the rack. The bike will automatically lock to the rack. To STOP the RENTAL, you must go to the MOVATIC App and End the Rental. The icon is located in the upper right corner of the screen in red. Select End the Rental and follow the prompts.
Can I rent multiple bikes under one account?
Yes, you may rent up to two bicycles at a time on one account.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge to rent a bike.
Why did you ask for a credit card?
If a bike is not returned, your credit card will be charged the full replacement cost of the bike.
What if I get a flat tire?
If you experience a mechanical problem with the bike, please return it to the station and select “report a problem” in the app. The bike will be repaired as soon as possible.
Are helmets available?
No, helmets are not available; you must provide your own helmet.
How do I end my rental?
In the MOVATIC App, there is a red icon in the top right corner. This feature will prompt you to End the Rental. When the End the Rental process has been completed, the bicycle may be rented again. If you forget to End the Rental, you will receive a friendly reminder by email.
Why can’t I get the bike to lock in and end the rental?
To rent and return the bike, you must stand at the rack; Bluetooth only has a range of 10-15 feet.
I have a question or concern I would like to share, who should I contact?
Please contact Angela Hobart, Public Services Coordinator for the City of New Albany. Angela may be reached at (614) 939-2258 or via email at ahobart@newalbanyohio.org.
