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Bike Miami Valley to suspend operation of LINK Dayton Bike Share Program.

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LINK Dayton Bike Share will suspend operations this fall (September 30th). LINK Dayton Bike share is a program ran by Bike Miami Valley, a non-profit cycling advocacy organization.
Bike share systems across the nation are facing unique challenges that have proved difficult for these donor funded systems to navigate, including rising costs, operational challenges, rising expenses for insurance and a lack of insurance providers willing to cover bike share programs. These have also impacted the LINK Dayton Bike Share system and are major contributors to the decision to suspend operations.
LINK Dayton Bike Share was launched in May of 2015 in the spirit of community collaboration between and has served the Dayton core for 9 years. 120,665 Trips to date with 66,790 total unique users. LINK Dayton Bike Share was created to make biking more accessible for all, provide “last mile” transportation throughout the urban core, as well as improve livability, and provide a healthy, environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Downtown Dayton has changed drastically since LINK Dayton Bike Share was first introduced, with increased housing, entertainment, restaurants on the positive side with less workforce active during working hours.
LINK Dayton Bike Share sees annually: over 50K rides in recent years, with 5K unique users and currently has 38 stations throughout downtown Dayton, nearby neighborhoods, and the University of Dayton campus.
The LINK system has historically been supported by donors and sponsorships, with only a small portion of revenue coming from ridership.
We want to show gratitude for all the Founding Sponsors of Link: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Bonbright Distributors and New Belgium Brewing Company, CareSource, City of Dayton, Five Rivers MetroParks, Montgomery County, PNC, Premier Health, Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County’s Creating Healthy Communities Program, Sinclair College and the University of Dayton for their support.
Bike Miami Valley’s mission “to advocate, promote, and create opportunities for all forms of bicycling in the Miami Valley” will continue as it has since the organization’s founding in 1979. The Regional Chapters will continue to conduct advocacy and events. Bike Miami Valley will continue to support the Miami Valley Cycling Summit, held next, in Springfield in 2025.
Bike Miami Valley and LINK are currently open to other possibilities for the continuation of the LINK Dayton Bike Share system, including a transition to another community partner.

Bike Miami Valley Looking For Winter Warriors

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Link- Dayton Bike Share has announced this year’s Winter Warriors is going to be a bit different, they will be fitting it all into one month! That’s right, this year’s competition will start on December 1 and go until December 31!

Are you signed up for Winter Warriors? This year’s competition will last from December 1 – December 31! we will be giving out awesome prizes including a bike from New Belgium Brewing! We will also be handing out prizes from Mike’s Bike Park, Old Scratch Pizza, RiverScape MetroPark, Boston Stoker Coffee and more! You have to be signed up to win!

Sign ups are now live. You can’t win if you don’t sign up.

Trips start counting December 1!

New Link Stations Added in Carillon and Huffman Neighborhoods

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On May 5th, Bike Miami Valley and Greater Dayton RTA’s program, Link: Dayton Bike Share will launch seven new hubs available in the Link Dayton app. These hubs are designated locations where users can checkout and return bikes. Support from the City of Dayton, CareSource and Five Rivers MetroParks make the expansion possible. The organizations will host a socially distant ribbon cutting at 10:30 AM at Welcome Park to celebrate the expansion.

Huffman Link Station

The City of Dayton, who is supporting the expansion into the Carillon and Huffman neighborhoods, played a critical role in helping Bike Miami Valley and its Link program connect to neighborhood leadership. “Link: Dayton Bike Share has been an amazing resource for keeping our city active and bike-friendly. We see this expansion into Carillon and Huffman neighborhoods as an investment in more mobility options for more Dayton residents,” says Mayor Nan Whaley.

“Bike Miami Valley recently brought a bike to one of our outdoor neighborhood meetings for a demonstration, and I got a chance to try it. I forgot how much I loved biking until I took a spin. We’re looking forward to having Link in neighborhood,” said Carillon Civic Council President Gwen Buchanan.

CareSource will add two new downtown locations and support two existing locations to encourage ridership between their campus-like office buildings downtown. “CareSource is committed to the health and vitality of downtown,” says Dan McCabe, CareSource Chief Administrative Officer and CEO CareSource Foundation. “We’re looking forward to offering our employees a safe, convenient alternative transportation option when they return to the office in person.”

Five Rivers MetroParks is continuing its support of Link with the addition of a location at Deeds Point MetroPark. “As warm weather finally comes and the Deeds Point Bridge reopens—soon!—We’re excited to see the Link network expand to serve more of our community. To be able to travel so much of greater downtown on a Link Bike is convenient, safe, healthy, and, most of all, fun,” says Becky Benná of Five Rivers MetroParks.

To take advantage of the new locations, users can download the Link Dayton app to get riding.

eLINK Bikes Are Back!

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We are happy to announce that the eLink bikes are being put back out into service today! To celebrate add the promo code link to the Coupons and Credits screen on the app and you will receive 5 trips of 15 minutes FREE! Remember, you have to have the Link Dayton App to check out the bikes, be sure to get it HERE

What is an e-bike?

An e-bike is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor. Our e-bikes will assist a user up to 15mph. You must pedal to get a benefit from the motor. The e-bikes have a range of up to 30 miles on a full charge!

What is riding an e-bike like?

It’s just like riding a bicycle! But with a booster to keep you riding longer and farther.

How much does it cost to rent a bike?

They offer several different pricing options to meet your needs! You can always check our social media or sign up for our newsletter to learn about periodic special offers and discounts.

PayGo – $1 to unlock

eLink: 15¢ per minute

Green Link: 10¢ per minute

Day Pass

eLink: $15 for 4 hours of ride time (15¢ per minute > 4 hours)

GreenLink: $8 for 4 hours of ride time (10¢ per minute > 4 hours)

90 Day Membership – $26

eLink: 10¢ per minute

Green Link: for 80 minutes of ride time per day, 5¢ per minute over included time

Annual Membership – $90

eLinks: 10¢ per minute

Green Link: 80 minutes of ride time per day, 5¢ per minute over included time

Dayton Bike Share Adds Electric Bikes

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After closing in late March for system upgrades, Link: Dayton Bike Share (Link) is back open. Link: Dayton Bike Share has redeployed its fleet of green Link bikes under the new system, as well as a fleet of electric bicycles (e-bikes) dubbed eLink.

The eLink bikes are white in color with green accents to help them stand out from the green Link bikes. The eLink bikes must be pedaled to engage the electric motor in the bike that assists riders. The bikes do not assist a rider above a speed of 15 mph, and they can be ridden anywhere in the system service area which will be outlined in the Link Dayton app.

“Users can unlock bikes through the Link Dayton app, which we launched in early May and is available for download,” said Bike Miami Valley’s executive director Laura Estandia. “To help celebrate our re-opening during this soft-launch period, we’re offering free 15 minute rides with the code, 15LAUNCH for the Pay-As-You-Go pass until July 4th.” Users can enter the promo code in the “Coupons and Credits” part of the app to receive the discount.

 

Link offers a variety of memberships within the app for the Green Bikes and eLink Bikes. “For a quick trip, we recommend the Pay-As-You-Go pass,” says Estandia, “but for a longer bike ride, our Day Pass is the best value.”

Users start and end trips within the app, and must use the onboard cables to lock up bikes at Link’s 27 designated parking hubs. The final version of the new hub signage will be installed next week and more e-bikes will roll out the week of July 6th for the official opening of the program.

For more information

Dayton Bike Share

call 937-496-3825 or email link@bikemiamivalley.org, with any questions.

Sign Up For The First Ever Tour de Link

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Link: Dayton Bike Share is getting into spirit the world’s greatest bicycle race with the inaugural year of Tour de Link. Participants can compete in three different challenges to earn the sleek activewear that pays homage to the jerseys of the Tour de France. The tour runs July 1st – July 23rd.

“Tour de Link mimics the challenges built into the Tour de France. For example, the polka dot jersey goes to the best climber in the Tour de France. Our polka dot shirt will go to the rider who completes the most trips at our Grafton Hill Station, which sits at the highest elevation,” says Chris Buck, Business Development Manager for Bike Miami Valley.

 

In fact, there are multiple ways to win this unique challenge. The rider who spends the most time on the bike, will win the Yellow Link shirt, the rider who takes the most trips will win the Green Link shirt and the rider who ends the most trips at the Grafton Hill station will ride away with the Polka-Dot Link shirt.

 

Any individual may register for the competition. “The beauty of this challenge is that other than registration, we do all of the counting for you. You don’t need to sign into an app or log your trips individually, you just need to ride a Link Bike,” says Buck.

 

Link: Dayton Bike Share is a popular program run by Bike Miami Valley and Greater Dayton RTA. Since its launch on May 5, 2015, Link riders have totaled more than 70,000 trips and have attracted more than 9,000 unique users to the system.

 

 

FAST FACTS

What: Tour de Link

When: July 1, 2017 to July 23, 2017

How: Register at https://linkdayton.org/top-nav-pages/community/tour-de-link

More Info: https://linkdayton.org/

Questions: Chris Buck, cbuck@bikemiamivalley.org, 937-496-3826

Dayton’s Bike Share Program Turns Two

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Today marks the second year since Link: Dayton Bike docked its first bike in 2015. Link users took more than 30,600 trips in 2016 and burned more than 1,700,000 calories. Since its launch in 2015, Link users have taken more than 65,000 trips and have attracted more than 8,000 unique users to the system.

 

Link grew from 24 stations to 27 in 2016, adding stations at Tech Town, the Montgomery County Job Center and at the Greater Dayton RTA Longworth Campus. The community also saw growth in the number of bike lanes on Warren Street and East Fifth Street, opening up new connections between Link stations.

 

New this year, Link is offering a membership type that offers hour trips – Annual Plus. Other perks of the membership include the opportunity for name recognition on a bike and a swag item from Link. “We’re excited to offer this new membership to our customers that want to chip in a little more to help us sustain and grow the program,” says Bike Miami Valley executive director Laura Estandia. “Annual Plus gives us the opportunity to recognize them and offer some perks in thanks.”

 

Birthday on Saturday, May 13th at Fifth Street Brewpub from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. The pub is tapping a special brew in celebration of Link’s Birthday dubbed Pedal Power.
Link will celebrate its 2nd“We’ve brewed a gose beer for Link,” says Brewmaster Darren Link. “Yes, Link is my last name, so I’ve always had an affinity for the bikes. The beer we’re brewing will be brewed with hops, orange peel and coriander. The hops have a salty flavor so it will be reminiscent of drinking a Gatorade.”

 

Link is looking forward to a great first weekend of May with the launch of the River Run project downtown and the arrival of more than 600 International Trail Symposium attendees. “We’re excited to give those attending the conference an easy, convenient way to get around downtown,” says Estandia, “We’re kicking Bike Month off in a big way this year!”

 

Link Bike Share & MVRPC sponsored RIDESHARE offer Alternatives During RTA Strike

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 24-Hour Passes Offered by Link For $2 During Strike

Link: Dayton Bike Share will continue normal operations during the strike at Greater Dayton RTA. All stations will remain open and customers can call 937-496-3825 if they experience any issues with stations or bikes.

Link is also offering 24-Hour Passes for $2 at all kiosks. No special code is needed to take advantage of the price. “We realize the strike is affecting many people,” says Executive Director of Bike Miami Valley Laura Estandia. “While our bikes are not intended for use outside of the station network, we can at least help ease the burden on those who need to travel within downtown.” Link will offer the price until the strike is over.

Link is a bike sharing program that offers various membership types that give users unlimited 30 minute trips during the membership period. Any trip over 30 minutes earns a $3 charge per half hour the bike is out of a dock. Users can pick up bikes and return them to any station in the 27 station network. Download the B-Cycle app in the app store and select Link: Dayton Bike Share to see all available docks and bikes in real-time or visit our station map at linkdayton.org.

 

FREE Rideshare Program Offers Transportation

The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) wants to remind commuters that ridesharing is an option for those who normally rely on the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority to get to their destination.  MVRPC sponsors the RIDESHARE Program and it’s FREE to anyone who lives, works or attends college in Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Preble, Darke and Clinton Counties.  For more information, visit www.MiamiValleyRideshare.org or call the RIDESHARE hotline at 937.223.SAVE or 1.800.743.SAVE.

“You don’t need to have a car to participate in the program. You could be matched with others who do have cars and who would be willing to share the ride,” explained MVRPC’s Executive Director, Brian O. Martin, AICP.

When a participant registers for RIDESHARE, the matching software will try to link the applicant with others who live near them and work/attend college near them.  A match list of people who have similar schedules and destinations will be generated and the applicant can call them and make arrangements to form a carpool or vanpool.

We are also looking for motorists who are not currently in our database that are willing to assist GDRTA patrons through this crisis.  If you are interested in learning how you can help, call the RIDESHARE hotline at 937.223.SAVE or 1.800.743.SAVE.

Established in 1964, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission promotes collaboration among communities, stakeholders, and residents to advance regional priorities.  MVRPC is a forum and resource where the Board of Directors identifies priorities and develops public policy and collaborative strategies to improve quality of life throughout the Miami Valley Region.  MVRPC performs various regional planning activities, including air quality, water quality, transportation, land use, research and GIS.  As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MVRPC is responsible for transportation planning in Greene, Miami and Montgomery Counties and parts of northern Warren County. MVRPC’s areawide water quality planning designation encompasses five (5) counties: Darke, Preble plus the three MPO counties.

For additional information, contact Laura Henry, MVRPC’s Marketing & Public Outreach Associate, via the RIDESHARE hotline at 937.223.SAVE or 1.800.743.SAVE.

Link Celebrates Expansion and New Monthly Pricing Option

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link-dayton-member-card

Link celebrated the installation of three new stations to its existing network. The new locations in 2016 include one at RTA’s Longworth Campus, the Montgomery County Job Center and Tech Town.

Greater Dayton RTA installed their station at their Longworth Campus in mid-April. “We started offering wellness incentives to our employees that use the Link program, but many of them wanted to be able to use the bikes between our location at Wright Stop Plaza and Longworth,” said Mark Donaghy, Executive Director of Greater Dayton RTA. “We were happy to close this gap and encourage our employees to get some fresh air and exercise.”

The two additional stations were added this August. Commissioner Debbie Lieberman express her excitement for the station at the Montgomery County Job Center. “For the County, it was about providing access to our employees and users of the Job Center. With access to the Nation’s Largest Paved Trail Network right across the street, it was a no-brainer that Link should be one of the enhancements to the new facility.”

LinkbikesExecutive Director Laura Estandia announced that Link recently launched a $10 Monthly Membership aimed at those users who responded on a feedback survey that they might prefer to pay for a membership on a monthly basis. “It’s a great low cost way for those considering an Annual Membership to try the system to see if it’s for them,” said Estandia. “We believe it will open up doors for new customers.” Link will also simplify its pricing structure with a flat rate of $3 per half hour for trips over 30 minutes in length.

“I know that Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association and all of the Tech Town tenants are thrilled to add another transportation option to help our employees connect to downtown dining options and businesses,” said GDAHA President and CEO Bryan Bucklew. “We’re thrilled to be able to be a part of a network that’s changing how people get around.”

FAST FACTS

Station Total: 27

Bike total: 225

First Year Total Trips: 33,526

First Year Total Users: 5,025

Open Date: May 5, 2015

About Link

Link is a bike sharing program run by Greater Dayton RTA and Bike Miami Valley. For more information, visit linkdayton.org

Free Ride Weekend To Celebrate First Anniversary

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link-dayton-member-cardLink: Dayton Bike Share celebrated its First Anniversary with many bike share enthusiasts at RiverScape MetroPark today. Link users took more than 33,000 trips the first year, averaging just under a 100 trips a day. In total, more than 5,000 users experienced the 24-station system.

Link announced they will add a total of three stations in 2016 expanding the station network to 27 stations. Greater Dayton RTA installed their station at their Longworth Campus in mid-April. “We started offering wellness incentives to our employees that use the Link program, but many of them wanted to be able to use the bikes between our location at Wright Stop Plaza and Longworth,” said Mark Donaghy, Executive Director of Greater Dayton RTA. “We were happy to close this gap and encourage our employees to get some fresh air and exercise.”

Two additional stations will be installed in the fall at the Montgomery County Job Center, which is currently undergoing renovations, and at the Tech Town Campus off East Monument Avenue. “For the County, it was about providing access to our employees and users of the Job Center,” explained County Administrator, Joe Tuss. “It was a no-brainer that Link should be one of the enhancements to the new facility.”

Carrie Scarff, Deputy Director of Five Rivers MetroParks announced a partnership between the bike hub commuter space at RiverScape and Link. “Any member of the bike hub, can receive a 20% discount on a Link Membership with this new partnership. It’s collaborations like this that allow us to encourage more people to bike to work if they have a longer trip and complete that trip to work on a Link Bike,” said Scarff.
Link

“I am thrilled to be here because Link is an accomplishment of our entire City. Many partners had to come around the table to make this possible, and the community embraced it as an amenity,” said Mayor Nan Whaley. “I have loved seeing citizens and visitors riding Link Bikes throughout the year. I’m happy to see the system expand to Tech Town. It’s a natural point of growth for the system as we connect our technology hub to the vibrant, active lifestyle of downtown Dayton.”

In thanks and celebration of a great first year, Link is offering a Free Ride Weekend Saturday, May 7th and Sunday, May 8th. The $5 membership fee will be waived at all kiosks, but a credit card is still required to check out bikes. Users can enjoy 24 destinations via Link and can check out bikes for up to 30 minutes at a time without incurring usage fees. “We’re so grateful to the Dayton community for believing in the mission to create more opportunities for bicycling,” said Bike Miami Valley Executive Director Laura Estandia. “We got over 5,000 people to discover bicycling again last year, and we’re excited to continue to grow.”

LINK Winter Warrior Champion Revealed

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Winter Warrior 2016 Champion Photo by Alex Grodkiewicz

Winter Warrior Champion Tom Jages. Photo by Alex Grodkiewicz.

Link’s first winter season called on all of those brave enough to battle the cold weather to become the Winter Warrior Champion. Link launched the Winter Warrior Challenge on December 4, 2015 and recruited over 50 participants to take trips during the winter months. The competition ended on Friday, February 26, 2016.

On opening day, Tom Jagles started racking up trips at 5:00 AM and kept the pace up throughout the competition. The runner-up, James Muhammad, gave Tom a run for his money racking up 180 trips in a 24-Hour period, which is the most trips taken in a 24-Hour period by not only Link riders, but also by any B-Cycle (the bike sharing supplier for Link and other systems) rider. Things heated up on the final day with both riders racing the clock. But Tom’s early lead earned him the grand prize of a brand new cruiser bike donated by New Belgium Brewing Company and a new trophy designed by Links and Kinks to back his bragging rights. Tom finished with a total of 796 trips. The runner-up totaled 616 trips. All Warriors totaled 2,674 trips.

“The Winter Warrior contest was a fun way to keep in shape during the cold winter months. The competition was fierce at the end. I had a blast!” said Tom at last night’s award ceremony at Oregon Express. New Belgium Brewing Company and Bonbright Distributors were on hand with door prizes and swag to celebrate the Warriors.

Other participants walked away with the tiered prizes. The Second Street Market donated $50 in Market Bucks to the First Tier Prize, and UD Athletics donated four UD Men’s Basketball tickets for the 2016-2017 season to the Second Tier Prize. Third Tier Prize winner took home a free Link Annual Membership and Link swag. Link also offered mini challenges throughout the competition featuring local favorites: Ghostlight, The Neon, Confetti, and RiverScape MetroPark Ice Rink.

“We’ll definitely be bringing the competition back next year,” said Chris Buck, Business Development Manager for Link. “The program was a huge success. Watching the whole thing play out was very exciting, and we hope to inspire even more members to ride next winter.”

Link Connect Four

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liz5yeeg9n1xnai4ij0ktdi1tvprss7jJoin us for Link Connect 4! Every week in June we’ll be offering up chances to win cool prizes for connecting to four consecutive stations in the Link network. The fun kicks off next Friday, June 5 with a chance to win a tasty treat from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream!

Link Goes Live Tuesday

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link-what-isAt noon on Tues, May 5th the long talked about bike share program will officially  go live in Dayton!

With 24 stations installed all around downtown Dayton,  Link will have 225 bicycles available for rent. Thirteen stations will be placed in the Central Business District, east of the Great Miami River with a southbound border of Fifth Street. Five stations will be located around the University of Dayton Campus. UD was one of the founding sponsors of the program. The Dayton Art Institute and the UD Research Institute will also have docking stations.  For a map that helps you find the nearest bike station click here.

With your Link Bike, you don’t have to look for a parking space or bring your own bike with you everywhere you go. Plus, riding a Link Bike is good for your health and for the environment. It’s the newest and best way to get around town.

Link bikes fit people of all sizes, thanks to an easy-to-use adjustable seat post. A great front and rear basket provides a space to stow your belongings while riding. Fenders, skirt guards and chain-guards help to keep your clothes clean during your ride. Automatic lights help keep you safe at all times of day. There are three speeds on the Link bike, perfect for your short commute. You’ll love it!

Link is designed to encourage you to use a bike for all your short trips. Once you’ve paid your membership fee, you can take an unlimited number of rides for 30 minutes or less, free!   Annual membership will cost $65, and semester passes will run $45. It will cost $30 for a monthly pass and $5 for a day pass.  Happy Riding!