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Despite a late summer launch Asbury Park’s bicycle ride share program shows a higher than expected return on the City’s investment, according to a Zagster report released Friday.

Since the program’s Aug 23 launch, 646 people utilized the program that allows riders to rent and return a bike at any one of the stations located across the city. The report outlines 1,248 trips with a total of 202,807 minutes of riding, thereby offsetting 33,801 pounds of CO2 emissions.  

“We have seen a higher than expected number, in terms of ridership,” Transportation Manager Michael Manzella [at right] said. “One thing we have learned is that compared to similar sized cities with the same program, we are knocking all but one of them out of the park.”

Thirty cruiser bikes were placed at six stations across the city, through funding support by iStar, Madison Marquette, The Asbury, and Home Drugs Pharmacy on Main Street.

The program, the first of its kind along the Jersey Shore, aims to reduce unnecessary car traffic in congested areas. The bicycles are the Zagster 8 model, an award-winning bike known for its practical design, comfortable ride, and easy handling. They feature automatic lights, a bell, reflectors, and a spacious basket designed to carry groceries, takeout, or personal belongings.

Other report stats worth noting, is the fact that more women than men are utilizing the bike share program, Manzella said.  

“Typically we see 55 percent usage by male riders and 45 perc by female riders,” he said. “This is really promising because it shows anyone can use the system and that people feel comfortable not only using the system but riding throughout the city.”

Manzella said Zaster, which administers the city program, has received interest from neighboring communities, something he hopes will help build a wider network.

The stats also show a higher than expected 17 percent of riders hailed from outside the tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Manzella said. And while the program was most heavily used in September, riders opted for the hourly rental plan over the annual membership.

“We haven’t hit the peak season yet so I expect after the summer season we will be among the highest in terms of ridership,” Manzella said.

New stations were added outside of the Stone Pony and at Seventh and Grand avenues, courtesy of sponsorship from NJ Natural Gas, and a second sponsorship from Home Drugs Pharmacy on Main Street, Manzella said.

On his wish list for the new year, adding more stations to other parts of the city that will give people better access to the downtown, shopping areas and the waterfront.

“Hopefully we will reach new areas of the city where residents will find it useful to reach the downtown and beach areas,” Manzella said.

Future sites will include placement throughout the west side of town, and along Asbury, Third and Sunset avenues. Once the Main Street Road Diet redesign is complete, the city will look to place stations along the main city thoroughfare.

About Asbury Park Bike Share:

Riders must be 18 and older and can join the program by signing up for an annual $30 subscription or $3 per-hour rides.

Riders can use the Zagster Mobile App [available for iPhone and Android] or sign on via bike.zagster.com/asburypark.

Each bike has a unique number, which riders enter into the app to disengage the ring lock and docking cable at the touch of a button.

A retractable cable mounted to the bike allows the bike to be secured to any public bike rack throughout a trip for mid-ride stops.

After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person.

For riders without a smartphone, unlock codes can be obtained via text message to use via the on-bike keypad.

For more information, riders can text 202-999- 3924.

Complete information about the program, including a station map and detailed instructions, can be found at bike.zagster.com/asburypark.

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