Pedestrians pass by the Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System's Market Street kiosk.The city of Chattanooga's Bicycle Transit System has increased its pedal power with two new stations installed and more bikes added at an existing station.
A 19-bike dock has been placed near Market Street and East Fourth Street, next to Hair of the Dog Pub and the Sports Barn parking lot. A 15-bike dock has been added at UTC's Maclellen Gymnasium on Douglas Street.
This is the fifth station on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus. Besides adding to the "network density" on campus, the station serves as an easy access point to the Tennessee Riverwalk, said Philip Pugliese, who coordinates the Bike Chattanooga program for the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
According to Dr. John Delaney, vice chancellor for student development, the partnership allows the university to continue its efforts "to reduce the campus carbon footprint" by encouraging energy-efficient transportation. The bonus is promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for students, he said.
Four docks will be added to the existing station at the Tennessee Valley Authority complex on Market Street, making it a 15-bike station.
According to Pugliese, the two new locations and expansion of the TVA station complete Phase I of the program.
He said 2013 will see further ways to "connect people and the places where they work, live and play. As people experience the system, we welcome suggestions for new locations."
A subscription to Bike Chattanooga allows riders to take an unlimited number of trips from station to station of 60 minutes or less. The service is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
To learn more, visit www.bikechattanooga.com.