Thanks GM Employees for the Great Biking Idea!

GM Bike Share is one of the best ideas from the automaker yet!

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug 26, 2014



GMs Warren Technical Center is implementing a bike share program – the first of its kind from any U.S. automaker according to the company – that will enable its 19,000 employees to commute more easily both on and off the Corporate campus.



GM worked with a private bike sharing company called Zagster that has developed similar programs for other businesses. Employees can use Zagster bikes stationed throughout the Tech Center to travel between its 61 buildings covering the 330-acre campus.



Posting on GM’s internal website OverDrive, most expressed enthusiasm for riding bikes at a car company, where walking, driving and timed shuttle buses are the typical ways employees get from one part of campus to another.



Employee registers online, then reserves a bike through text message or a smart phone app that provides an access code to unlock the lock box mounted on the bike. Zagster’s geofencing technology installed at each bike station is powered by solar energy panels – an energy feature comparable to the large public bike share systems, and unique to the GM/Zagster partnership. It is also the first private bikeshare system to employ this technology.



Each bike comes equipped with a basket to safely transport a laptop, notebook and other small belongings. Riders must wear helmets and use bells to alert pedestrians when they are approaching.



John Waechter, designing engineer at the Tech Center:

Quote:

“This is an awesome idea. I can quickly get to meetings without walking to a car and finding parking. This is good for us, good for on-campus mobility and a nice way to actually learn more about non-auto transportation.”

GM began a pilot program of the bike share for 50 Tech Center employees at the end of July. After the successful trial and mounting enthusiasm from employees, everyone on campus can now participate.

Is this the coolest thing you have heard about since the 2016 Colorado/Canyon Turbo Diesel news or 2016 Volt speculation? I think it is. :)

Thanks GM Employees for the Great Biking Idea!