TCRPC Releases 2023 Report on Harrisburg Area Bikeshare Program
The first full season of the SusqueCycle bikeshare program concluded with notable success, promoting sustainable transportation, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting a healthier lifestyle in the Harrisburg community.
Key achievements included significant ridership, a positive environmental shift with reduced carbon emissions that improved air quality, and the encouragement of healthier lifestyles.
The program’s significant ridership in 2023, exceeding 2,300 rides, reflects both its success and the increasing popularity of sustainable transportation.
The bikeshare system’s convenience attracted a diverse user base, from daily commuters to city-exploring tourists, providing them with an accessible and enjoyable way to explore the Harrisburg community, which positively impacts local businesses, tourism, and the local economy.
Addressing environmental concerns, the bikeshare program contributed to a greener urban environment by encouraging the use of bicycles over traditional motorized vehicles, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint and improvement of air quality by reducing air pollution.
Focused on promoting a healthier lifestyle, the program displayed visible results, inspiring individuals to incorporate regular cycling into their routines, leading to improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, reduction of stress levels, and helping maintain healthy weights.
As we bid farewell to the past season, the bikeshare program’s results highlight success and positive change, encompassing increased ridership, environmental impact, and improved health and wellness.
The bikes are currently in winter hibernation and are set to return in Spring 2024.
Steve Deck, executive director of Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, which administers SusqueCycle with support from local sponsors, said future plans include more bike stations and an upgrade for the bikes this spring.
“We’re planning locations at the TransitPark lot at 10th and Market streets and at Commonwealth and North streets, close to state office buildings,” Deck said. “We’ll add more stations as we’re able.”
Deck said 2024 will also see a “sleeker, more modern” upgrade for the program’s bikes, along with better location info to observe rider routes and plan for future expansions.
He added that additional improvements are dependent on ridership revenue and on the program’s ability to gain more sponsorships, which SusqueCycle is actively seeking.
“We want to thank all our participants and sponsors for the program’s success in 2023, and we eagerly look forward to the bikes returning in April.”
More info can be found at www.susquecycle.org.
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CONTACT: TCRPC Executive Director Steve Deck, 717-234-2639