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Date: 6/30/2020
EASTHAMPTON – ValleyBike, a public bike share program, has reopened their bikes to the public. The share program was shut down as a result of the pandemic.
City Planner Jeffrey Bagg said their plan is to limit short distance driving. Their stations promote areas that people can get to on bikes. For example, the parks and small shops.
While the virus has impacted many things, Bragg said they are not implementing any change. “In Easthampton, we launched last year. We installed four stations and we were really late. We launched in late august, september so I think it’s still relatively new for some people so we’re really trying to keep it the same,” said Bagg.
The bikes are relocated every day by ValleyBike workers. When workers put the bikes out into new locations, they are sanitized but the bikes will not be sanitized in between each use. Bagg said this is because the bikes are not highly used. They are hoping people use what our new normal precautions are, sanitizing their hands before and after each ride. At each station there will be signs to remind people that they are not being sanitized so they are asking that people use them at their own risk.
In order to access the bikes, users must to download the ValleyBike app and pay a membership fee. They currently have seven different memberships that range from $90 a year to $2 per ride.
They are currently promoting an Access Pass that is available to people that have SNAP benefits, Masshealth Standard, or have Section 8. This option generally costs $10, but for a limited time due to COVID-19, it is free.
The pass comes with unlimited one hour rides, then after one hour, it costs 15 cents per mile. Members will need a credit or debit card, an address they receive mail at, an email address, and a document that proves they have one of the benefits.
For more information, visit their website at valleybike.org.