Pacers Bikeshare organizers aim to help low-income residents

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Pacers Bikeshare organizers are trying to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, can afford to use the bike share. They say a new program called “Everybody Rides” is helping them accomplish that.

In the program, Indianapolis Housing Agency residents can get a membership for just $10 a year. Annual memberships usually cost $80.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail Executive Director Karen Haley says the Everybody Rides program started as a pilot at Barton Tower. This year, it expanded to all IHA properties.

“A lot of people used bikes for transportation anyway,” Haley said. “With the Bikeshare program, you’re able to use a bike but my worry is about the maintenance or where you’re going to store it or lock it at night.”

IU Health partnered with Pacers Bikeshare and provided funding for the expansion. The money also helped provide 100 helmets for riders.

“I thought that was great,” Bikeshare user Bob Gardner said. Gardner is not in the Everybody Rides program but he said he supports it.

“It’s a lot easier than walking. You can get a lot more done. You can be a lot more productive in your day,” Gardner said. “I think everyone should have access to it.”

Haley said Bikeshare workers are now surveying customers to gauge the impact of Everybody Rides.