By KERI DE GROOT
Provo residents can now cruise the city?s recreational trails in style on 20 new bicycles provided by Dasani.
In partnership with the Rails to Trails Conservancy, Dasani launched their Blue Bikes Program in Provo Thursday, July 20, 2006, and all residents can now gain access to the bikes.
Program participants must sign a waiver and pay a $10 deposit at the Provo City Parks and Recreation Department at 351 W. Center St., where they are issued a swipe card to access the seven Blue Bike storage lockers throughout the city.
Once residents obtain a swipe card, they are free to check out the Blue Bikes at their own convenience, but the bikes must be returned to the lockers that evening.
Dasani partnered with Rails to Trails because of its edge on the nation?s best trails, said Ben Gettleman, Rails to Trails regional manager of trail development.
?We have our filter on what communities would be good and where it would be successful,? he said.
Originally officials considered placing the Blue Bike program in Salt Lake City, but were convinced to bring the program down to Provo.
Max Mitchell, Provo assistant director for parks, said in a Deseret Morning News interview that the city wanted to implement the program in a way that would benefit all residents in the city.
?Our thing that we needed to do was figure out how we were going to make this available to the public ? anybody, not just somebody who belongs to a riding club or something ? and still maintain the bikes and be able to monitor the program,? Mitchell said.
Several cities across the country, including the Baltimore, Chicago and Seattle areas, have had the same responsibilities of maintaining the Blue Bikes provided by Dasani, and the program seems to be working, Gettleman said. Dasani and Rails to Trails plan to launch the program in other cities across the nation as well.
The 26 miles of paved road on the Provo Jordan River Parkway Trail are open to walkers, joggers, bicyclists and in-line skaters. Those interested in traveling the trails may bring their own equipment or take advantage of the Blue Bike program.
_______________________________________________
Dasani Blue Bikes can be found in lockers placed at seven locations in the city:
Provo City Center (351 W. Center St.)
Provo City Public Works Office (1377 S. 350 East)
Wells Fargo Building (50 E. 100 North)
Riverview Park (4620 N. 200 West)
Carterville Park (2400 N. Carterville Road)
Exchange Park (700 W. 900 North)
Geneva Road Trailhead (270 N. Geneva Road).
