The city of Dearborn is rolling out its bike share program on Tuesday, June 13. A 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and 2-mile bike ride will celebrate the launch of the program, which includes 50 bikes at 10 stations that span the east and west sides of the city.
The bike share program is symbolic of Dearborn's desire to move from a car-based culture to a multi-modal one, a transportation system that includes automobiles but also one that is more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. City officials believe that the key to future growth includes diversified mobility options for Dearborn residents and visitors alike.
"We're going to see an increase in economic prosperity, cultural attractions, and quality of work life and residential life," says West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority executive director Cristina Sheppard-Decius.
"It's going to make activities easier to access and easier to enjoy."
The bike share program has been in the works for at least a year and a half, says Sheppard-Decius, and it's been a combination of city stakeholders, including the Healthy Dearborn Team, Ford Motor Company, and city business leaders, that helped make it happen. Beaumont Hospital helped bring the program to fruition and the Kosch Family, the owners of Dearborn Sausage Co., sponsored the bike stations.
Bike rental stations will be located at Bryant Branch Library, West Village Commons, John D. Dingell Transit Center, Arab American National Museum, City Hall Artspace Lofts, Commandant's Quarters, behind Buffalo Wild Wings on Howard Street, and the intersections of Oakwood Boulevard and Michigan Avenue, Military Street and Michigan Avenue, and Schlaff Street and Michigan Avenue.
Sheppard-Decius says that the program will grow to include more bikes, bike stations, and bike lanes throughout the years.
Bike rental rates are $2 an hour, though unlimited rides can be had by registering as a member at
www.zagster.com/dearborn for $20 per year. Register early for a membership with promo code
bikedearborn and receive 50 percent off the yearly rate.
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