Addition of e-bikes made possible with significant support from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and Pacers Sports & Entertainment
INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. in partnership with the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and Pacers Sports & Entertainment today announced a combined investment to expand and enhance the Pacers Bikeshare program. The funding will enable the Indianapolis non-profit community bikeshare program to bring 250 e-bikes to the City of Indianapolis in spring of 2024.
The e-bikes are funded by a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant of $1.2 million through the City’s Department of Public Works. This marks the third time in ten years the bikeshare program has received CMAQ funding. The CMAQ grant, combined with the increased philanthropic support from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation will increase mobility options for Indianapolis residents and visitors.
“In nearly a decade of operation, the Pacers Bikeshare program has been a convenient way for residents and visitors to get where they need to go in town without the cost or carbon footprint associated with a private automobile,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The addition of new e-bikes will add a whole new dimension of convenience to this mobility resource – one that just keeps getting bigger and better.”
Created as a public-private partnership, the Pacers Bikeshare program launched in April 2014 with 25 stations and 250 bikes along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick. The Indiana Pacers Bikeshare program grew to 50 stations and 500 bikes in 2019 when it expanded out of downtown to neighborhoods along the City’s bike and greenway network.
“Our family is honored to continue our support of Pacers Bikeshare as it moves into this next phase. With the previous expansion of the Pacers Bikeshare system and the addition of e-bikes, Pacers Bikeshare has become a legitimate transportation asset for our city’s residents and visitors. Providing this type of environmentally friendly connectivity, builds a more vibrant community.” said Rachel M. Simon, President, Herbert Simon Family Foundation.
Pacers Bikeshare bikes are available at 50 stations via the BCycle mobile app, by walking up to a station kiosk or by purchasing an annual pass. Since the program launched in 2014, riders have collectively ridden almost 20,000,000 minutes, or almost 38 consecutive years of riding bicycles, using Pacers Bikeshare.
"We are immensely grateful to the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, City of Indianapolis and Pacers Sports & Entertainment for their renewed commitment to the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare program” said Kären Haley, executive director of Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. "Adding e-bikes into our community bike share program will allow people to travel longer distances with less effort and enjoy a more flexible and convenient bikeshare experience.”
“Amenities that enhance the livability and quality of place for our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods are critical to everything we do at Pacers Sports & Entertainment,” said Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO. “We are proud to help enhance this program, and we are grateful to the partners who have come together to push our community toward greater sustainability and inclusiveness.”