Ten days with Lime Bike

Neon green bikes sprouted on Melrose curbsides just before Halloween. Their insistent color nagged me to download the Lime app and give bike share a try. Moving more is a good thing, right? Sitting in your car, not so good, right? Over the last week, a Lime bike was my mode of transportation for four errands and meetings around town.

Downloading the app was easy. If your phone already uses a mobile payment app (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay), it is seamless and quick. Yes, you need to buy at least $10 credit, but you're not required to enter your life story and click on a bunch of confirmation links before you start pedaling.

Open the app to find nearby bicycles. When you arrive at a bike, use the Lime app to scan the QR code. The bike unlocks with a click. Adjust the seat height, toss your bag into the roomy basket and click on your helmet. You're ready for your first trip!

The bikes have three gears which are easy to shift. Don't expect to go the speed of light on these bikes, but an easy cadence led me to downtown Melrose comfortably and a lot faster than walking. From door to store, it was about the same time it would take me to drive a car.

A solar panel in the bicycle basket powers the locking system and front and back lights. How cool is that?

When you are finished with the bike, leave it at a bike rack or on the sidewalk, curbside, taking care not to block driveways, bus stops, ramps, etc. Push down the red lever by the back tire. When you hear a chime, you know the bike is locked.

Mayor Infurna's blog lists the bike share program's operating rules. Your first ride is free, although you do need to purchase credit in order to use the program. A nice perk: I received additional free rides already.

For my first trip, I walked to the commuter rail station to pick up a bike. On the way home, I left it near a park, hoping it would be useful for others in the neighborhood. The next few trips, a bike was in the same spot, which was handy. Fully spoiled by this, I was surprised not to find a bike at the park the next time. Fortunately, the bike inventory was fine at the commuter rail station.

Being early November, weather ranged from wonderful to wet. If you're accustomed to jumping in the car every time you leave the house, it will be a new habit. Change is good, right?

Fifteen communities from Winthrop to Arlington are participating in the Lime Bike. It's good to know that you can take the bikes beyond Melrose. If the weather holds out, it would be fun to travel the new Tri-Community Bikeway from Stoneham to Horn Pond.

Barring snow and sub-freezing temperatures, I will keep up Lime Bike and building a new habit. Have any of you tried the bikes?