Bike Share Program Ready To Roll Again In Suffolk

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Cyclists in Suffolk County can once again enjoy a regional bike share program.

Recently, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Pedal Share and Bethpage Federal Credit Union relaunched Bethpage Ride, the first model of its kind on Long Island. Bethpage Ride is now available in the Village of Southampton, Hampton Bays, the Village of Babylon, and the Village of Patchogue.

Last September, Suffolk County launched a regional bike share program that saw over 500 rides in two months of operation. But in late May, the county was notified by its prior bike share vendor that it would ceasing all bike share operations due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

Then, over the summer, county officials approved a contract with Pedal Share, a Southampton-based bike share company that has operated systems in Southampton Village, Westhampton Beach and Quogue.

“Bethpage Ride is back,” said Bellone. “COVID-19 may have put a dent into our regional bike share program, but thanks to the steadfast commitment of Bethpage Federal Credit Union and our new partnership with Pedal Share, today we start back up right where we left off. Over the past six months we have witnessed an unprecedented resurgence in the popularity of cycling and we are thrilled to be able to bring this amenity back to the residents of Suffolk County.”

Bike stations can be found at the following locations:

Hampton Bays:

· Good Ground Park
· Downtown Hampton Bays
· Tiana Beach
· Ponquogue Beach

Southampton Village:
· Agawam Park
· Southampton Train Station
· Gin Lane Beach
· Coopers Beach
· A Butler's Manor
· Southampton Town Hall

Babylon:

· Babylon LIRR
· Babylon village pool
· Argyle Park/ Carlston Place
· Locust Avenue
· Park Avenue
· Totten Place

Patchogue:
· Patchogue LIRR
· Blue Point Brewery
· Patchogue Theatre Alley
· Roe Walkway
· Davis Park Ferry
· Mascot Dock

“We are so pleased to partner with Suffolk County and Pedal Share to help bring Bethpage Ride back into the Long Island communities,” said Linda Armyn, senior vice president of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “When we first launched Bethpage Ride last summer, we were thrilled to see so many people take advantage of the convenience it brings to the community and look forward to everyone being able to enjoy the bikes once again.”

The program includes technology that can be accessed through smartphones; users will have the ability to download the Bloom app and will either be able to pay per ride or buy a membership.

Riders can pay $4 per hour, but can also opt for a daily rate of $35 or a yearly plan for $59; this yearly plan allows for unlimited trips of up to one hour.

In order to participate in Bethpage Ride, users must be 18 years or older.

The program, officials said in a release, will boost the local economy by increasing tourism, extending the reach of existing transit networks, and will provide the "critical last-mile connection" between transportation hubs, popular destinations, and downtown areas.

Goals of the regional bike share program include decreasing the use cars as the primary mode of transportation, encouraging a more active, healthier lifestyle by providing bicycles for intermittent recreational use, and establishing a stronger bicycle network in Suffolk County, complete with new bike lanes, Bellone said.

In addition, the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning recently completed a Hike-Bike Network Master Plan for improving hike-bike infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists across the region.

The plan provides Suffolk County with a comprehensive and coordinated vision for a connected network of hiking and biking trails. The completed master plan can be seen here.