'We will find that sustainable plan.' Red Bikes back on Greater Cincinnati streets

Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·1 min read

Just in time for national Bike to Work Week, Cincinnati's bike-share program put about 450 of its Red Bikes back on Cincinnati streets Monday morning.

All 71 Red Bike stations are operational, 10 Red Bike staff are back on the job and an ad-hoc steering committee is meeting every other week to draft a long-term strategy for the 10-year-old service.

"We will find that sustainable plan," Cincinnati City Council member Mark Jeffreys, chief architect of a Red Bike bailout, said at a Monday press conference.

Cincinnati City Council member Mark Jeffreys, left and Red Bike Executive Director Doug McClintock, walk their Red Bikes back to City Hall.
Cincinnati City Council member Mark Jeffreys, left and Red Bike Executive Director Doug McClintock, walk their Red Bikes back to City Hall.

The service paused in January to address budget pressures, then announced plans to shut down in March. Supporters then stepped up to raise more than $500,000 to operate Red Bike for the coming year.

During its shutdown, Red Bike built about 180 new bikes and handled other maintenance work, Red Bike Executive Director Doug McClintock said Monday. Within a couple of months, about 75% of all Red Bikes will be electric, with battery packs installed on a rear rack. Batteries lasts 30 to 50 miles, depending on riding conditions.

Red Bike staff also removed UC Health logos from its fleet in recent weeks. UC Health pulled its sponsorship of Red Bike last year, prompting the budget crisis.

There are now 450 Red Bikes in operation after they were shut down in March due to lack of funding. Soon, about 75% of the bikes will be electric.
There are now 450 Red Bikes in operation after they were shut down in March due to lack of funding. Soon, about 75% of the bikes will be electric.

About a dozen Red Bike supporters, including Jeffreys and McClintock, welcomed the service back with a brief ride around downtown streets.

To inspire rides, the city of Cincinnati will cover $100 of a $150 annual Red Bike membership for the first 50 city employees to sign up, Jeffreys said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Red Bike back in business.