Zagster Brings Bike Sharing to Duke University

DURHAM, NC--(Marketwired - Sep 26, 2014) - Zagster, a company that provides bike sharing services, and Duke University will officially launch a campus bike sharing program today at a special event, featuring Lavanya Sunder, Duke Student Government President; Alison Carpenter, Duke Transportation Demand Coordinator; and Timothy Ericson, co-founder and CEO of Zagster. 

"We're honored to have been selected by Duke to manage its bike-sharing program," said Ericson. "Our bikes are perfect for cruising around campus which makes them a hit with riders, while our model, which is cost effective and comprehensive, makes it a hit with administrators."

Beginning today, a total of 50 bikes are available by the hour or the day to students, faculty and staff who are at least 18 years old and who have a valid Duke email address. Riders will pay a $20 annual fee that allows unlimited bike rentals for up to three hours for free, with additional hours costing $2 per hour. Zagster bike racks will be at four locations across Duke, including:

• East Campus bus stop
• Central Campus bus stop by the Anderson Street-Lewis Street intersection
• Kilgo Quad
• Walkway between Social Sciences and Allen buildings

Zagster partnered with Duke Student Government and Student Affairs, the Provost's office, Parking and Transportation Services and others on the service. Zagster's turnkey model enables the University to offer a modern, fully managed and cost-effective option for students, faculty and staff.

"By locating the bikes on key shuttle bus routes, students can replace some bus trips with bike trips, offering a fun and healthy way to get around," said Sunder. "We love the fact that Zagster manages the entire program, from the technology, to customer service and bike maintenance. It allows us to offer this program without huge costs."

Riders can access the bikes by creating a Zagster account via the Zagster Mobile App, (available for iPhone and Android), or online at http://www.zagster.com/Duke. To rent a bike, riders simply login to their account, enter the unique ID number of the bike they wish to use and the app provides an access code for the lock box. Riders can use the code throughout the duration of their rental to lock and unlock the bike anywhere along their trip. Once the bike is returned to a Zagster location, the touch of a button ends the rental and releases the bike for the next rider.

Zagster is developing a national footprint of bike sharing programs in partnership with real estate/multi-family companies, businesses, hotel chains and universities, all of whom are looking to provide value added services and benefits to residents, guests or area employees. 

Currently, Zagster has hundreds of bikes deployed in more than 30 cities/towns in 21 states with thousands of members having taken tens of thousands of rides. Zagster has partnered with leading brands, including General Motors, Hyatt, Related Companies, Novare Group, Quicken Loans, and many others.

About Zagster
Founded in Philadelphia in 2007 as CityRyde and now headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Zagster is one of the nation's first bike sharing companies. Zagster is uniquely focused on contracting with property managers, hotels, businesses, and universities across North America to make bike sharing programs available to tenants, employees, guests and students. This highly efficient and unique model allows Zagster to offer services in areas that traditional city-wide bike sharing systems can't reach. More information about Zagster is available online at http://www.Zagster.com.