Suwanee has officially opened a bike sharing program, a first of its kind for Gwinnett County.
Two stations have been installed -- one in Town Center Park, one in Suwanee Creek Park -- to house as many as 16 bikes, which can be rented via a smart phone app, Zagster, according to a news release.
The stations are sponsored by CIGNA and Children's Health Care of Atlanta; each organization donated approximately $10,000 to cover the entire cost of the bike stations.
"Suwanee is known for its families and its strong ties in developing programming that really brings our community out," said Annie Valenty, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta community development officer, adding that the company felt it was a great opportunity to invest in a health and wellness program.
"We hope that through supporting this effort, we will encourage more families to be out and about, and be active with their entire family."
One unique feature of the bike stations is that they will contain self-sustaining energy sources.
"We're excited to be the first to use this technology in the county," said Adam Edge, Suwanee Downtown Business and Development Manager.
City leaders looked at a similar program in Alpharetta to determine the size and scope of the service, said Edge.
Bikes can be rented for free up to three hours, at which point users are charged $3 for each additional hour -- up a maximum charge of $30 per day.
All renters must be at least 18 years old and provide their own helmets.
"We think it will be a fantastic addition to our parks and trail system. It will provide our residents with another path of recreational use, both on our trails an in our parks," said Edge.
The new stations were unveiled at a ceremony Saturday morning.
