Explore Bike Share has come to Memphis, TN, and is taking the city by storm with a bike-sharing network sure to help Memphians get their blood pumping and their heart rates up just in time for the sweltering heat of summer to be coming to a close. So, now that Explore Bike Share has opened its doors, how can visitors and residents make use of its bike network and transit hubs?
For those of you who have never used a bike-sharing network before, here’s what to know about Explore Bike Share before taking your first cycling trip.
What is bike sharing?
A bike-sharing program is a service that involves bikes being stored in transit hubs across a city and made available to rent through the use of an app. Such programs give users the freedom associated with having a bike without the hassle of managing the upkeep. Although bike-sharing was conceived in Amsterdam in 1965, with free-use white bicycles left unchained throughout the city, it wasn’t until 1995 that bikes were made available to rent through a coin-operated payment system. Similar programs soon followed suit and the practice has grown exponentially, with many bike-sharing programs owning over a thousand bikes per city.
About Explore Bike Share
Explore Bike Share is a bike-sharing network that has recently come to Memphis, setting up shop so Memphians from all walks of life can enjoy a little cycling to break up their daily routine. Whether you’re a fitness junkie, a tourist, a commuter or anyone else interested in using a bike to get around, Explore Bike Share is waiting for you.
The Explore Bike Share system is broken down into four easy steps on the company’s website:
- Pay: Users can pay through the Explore Bike Share app on their phones, which makes the transaction quick and easy.
- Pick up: Users can pick up their bicycles at any of Memphis’ 60 bicycle hubs.
- Pedal: Enjoy your time on the bike! If you’re looking to explore, visit memphistravel.com to find the best Memphis attractions.
- Put up: Just bring the bike back to any designated bike station and continue with your day.
Anyone interested in making use of the Explore Bike Share network can rent a bike per use or on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis.
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Improve your quality of life with bike sharing
The benefits of cycling are well documented and include improvements to both physical and mental health. Indeed, people who bicycle regularly often notice mood boosts from exercise and exposure to sunlight while also experiencing improved lung function, reduced heart disease and cancer risk, increased muscle growth and weight loss. What’s more, regular cycling is said to improve navigational skills, spatial awareness and brain power.
Additional resources
- Learn more about Explore Bike Share
- An interactive history of bike-sharing
- The health benefits of cycling
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