CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zagster, the nation’s leading provider of bike share systems, has surpassed a critical milestone with the launch of its 200th bike sharing program. More than 6.5 million city residents, business employees, and college students across 35 U.S. states are now within reach of a Zagster bike.
All told, Zagster now powers more bike sharing programs in more cities, states and towns than any other U.S. bike share provider. In the last quarter alone, Zagster launched more than a dozen new programs, including Winston-Salem (N.C.), Penn State University and Rochester, N.Y.
Rochester in particular was a landmark launch for the company. With Rochester, Zagster rolled out a number of new features to increase bike sharing adoption, including a revamped mobile app and a low-cost, usage-based pricing model starting at just $1 per 30 minutes (the same price as a bus trip). And after pioneering smart bike technology that for years has enabled point-to-point travel for mid-trip stops, Zagster began allowing riders to start and end rides at either dedicated Zagster racks or at any public bike rack throughout the city. This unique hybrid model offers an ideal blend of predictability and flexibility for riders while preserving order, safety and aesthetics for cities.
“The Zagster bike share program has been an enormous success in the City of Rochester, with over 20,000 rides in the first few months of service,” said Mayor Lovely Warren. “Zagster is reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing the health of our citizens and making our neighborhoods and Downtown more vibrant. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Zagster team to expand and grow the program over the coming years.”
In 2016, Zagster achieved 300 percent growth in implemented programs; 400 percent growth in deployed bikes; and 300 percent growth in staff. Earlier this year, Zagster closed a $10 million Series B Round of Funding led by Edison Partners, a leading growth equity capital firm, bringing its total capital raised to date to $20 million. Zagster’s bike sharing programs have won local and national awards for innovation and impact.
About Zagster
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Zagster is the largest and fastest-growing bike-share provider in the United States. Zagster operates more than 200 bike share programs in 35 states across North America with a focus on making bike riding a truly mass market phenomenon. Zagster’s on-bike locking technology offers riders the freedom and flexibility they want, and cities the security and predictability they need. Because Zagster manages all aspects of its programs — from bikes and technology, to maintenance and marketing — Zagster partners can create and deploy scalable bike-share systems that best suit their needs and work within their budgets.
More information about Zagster and its programs can be found at www.zagster.com
Media contact for Zagster
Jon Terbush, Zagster communications manager
617.681.4914, jterbush@zagster.com