FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2019
Contact: Dane Eifling
Bicycle & Pedestrian Programs Coordinator
Engineering Division
479-575-8243
deifling@fayetteville-ar.gov
VeoRide Bikeshare Program Adds 150 New E-Assist Bikes
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — VeoRide’s University of Arkansas and Fayetteville program, the state’s largest bikeshare, is tripling its fleet of electric-assist bikes. The program launched in September of 2018 with 290 customized, non-electric 7-speed bikes and 50 standard second-generation e-assist bikes. The expansion is in response to high customer demand for electric-assist bikes. Users have taken more than 35,000 rides on VeoRide bikes in Fayetteville since the program launched. According to VeoRide’s usage data, the e-assist bikes have been checked out at three times the rate of the non-electric bikes.
The number of e-assist bikes in Fayetteville is being upped to 150, all with the latest third-generation technology upgrades and fully customized Razorback red frames. The bikes’ front-drive motors can assist riders to pedal up to 15 miles per hour and responsively adjust torque to match riding conditions, such as traveling up a hill. The battery can run up to 68 miles on a single charge, and VeoRide’s operations team will swap the battery when it needs to be charged.
The customized e-bikes are available on the same VeoRide app that allows riders to access the pedal bikes. Just find the e-bike icon on the map in the app, select to reserve, and scan the QR code to unlock. The cost to rent an e-bike is $1 to unlock and $0.10 a minute. Users without a smart phone can contact VeoRide to receive an RFID card that can be used to unlock the bikes.
The new e-assist bikes will be rolled out gradually over the next two weeks as the bikes are inspected, charged and distributed to bike-share hub locations.
A free public and media test ride and demo event will be held alongside the Frisco Trail section of the Razorback Regional Greenway at 550 W Dickson Street on Tuesday, February 5, from 10 am to noon.
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