Last year’s Open Streets ICT event was the busiest day in Bike Share ICT’s short history.
And the bike sharing service is preparing for more of the same this year.
Bike Share ICT, which started in May 2017, is bringing an extra 100 bikes downtown for people to use during Sunday’s Open Streets ICT event. Those will be added to the 105 bikes located at 21 stations, most of them in the downtown area.
Bike Share ICT announced earlier this year it would add more bike stations and bikes. Some of the stations are still being worked on, but all the bikes are here.
“What we thought would be a great opportunity for Open Streets ICT this year, instead of leaving the bikes in storage while the stations are being assembled is just to go ahead and bring all of the bikes … downtown so they can be utilized during Open Streets ICT,” said Becky Tuttle, community development director with the Greater Wichita YMCA.
Open Streets ICT is a large block party along Douglas Avenue, from College Hill to Delano. The street will be closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians and bikes. There will be open businesses, food trucks and other activities along the route.
Renting a bike costs $3 an hour using the Bike Share ICT app. Annual memberships, which include unlimited rides, are $30. Students at Wichita State University, Friends University and Newman University can get an annual membership for $20.
“When we first had roads in this country and in our great city, the roads were for people walking, biking and even horses,” Tuttle said. “And now most of the time roads are thought of for cars.
“So 4.1 miles of Douglas is going to be transformed into an opportunity for people to walk and bike … and just enjoy Wichita's beautiful downtown.”
Tom Shine is director of news and public affairs for KMUW. Follow him on Twitter @thomaspshine.
