#riderhighlights

[cogobikeshare]

Women’s Bike Month Profile

Say Hi again to Sheri! She was one of our famed members who thoroughly enjoyed our #ChipotleBike when it roamed the streets last summer. Sheri is ready to attack Women’s Bike Month and enjoy these fall days.

In which neighborhood do you live? 

For three years we lived in the Brewery District, but we recently moved downtown. We are now fortunate enough to both live and work in downtown Columbus.

Why did you decide to sign up for CoGo? 

My husband and I decided to sign up for CoGo when we first moved to Columbus. We saw a CoGo station outside our building and thought it would be a great way to see the area. When considering the annual CoGo cost, we did some quick math and determined for a few nights worth of gas and parking, we could easily pay for an entire year of membership.

Do you use CoGo to get to work? 

I use CoGo to get to and from work, in addition to walking and using the COTA Cbus.

What other kinds of trips do you use CoGo for? 

CoGo has been a great option to use when I want to get around to areas not serviced by the Cbus and when I want to take a break from walking. My husband and I have found ourselves biking to new areas to get familiar with more neighborhoods and to also try new restaurants. We are planning a fall adventure to do a loop around the map to check out the kiosk expansions.

How did you make those trips before CoGo started? 

I have not known life in Columbus without CoGo. Having an annual membership has allowed me unlimited trips to explore areas I would have otherwise not ventured to, for fear of not finding a parking spot.

What’s your favorite thing about riding a bike in Columbus? 

I love how bike friendly Columbus is becoming. I appreciate the initiatives to bring awareness to the needs of those who bike daily and those who bike for recreation. The addition of new bike lanes and even more CoGo kiosks being added has expanded the area I feel comfortable riding in.

Any tips for newer CoGo members? 

Always remember to check the light to ensure your trip has ended when docking your bike, scope out the map of stations so you are familiar with your options for docking, and I set a timer on my phone to keep on top of time restrictions - but most importantly bike safe and have fun!

Before CoGo I would… circle the block looking for a parking spot but now I… dock near my destination and continue on with my day!

[cogobikeshare]

Winter Rider Highlights

How many trips have you taken since December 1?

“60 trips. Knowing that I’ve used the CoGo over 60 times in the last 3 months definitely solidifies that I’m getting my money’s worth!” –SP

“68 trips. Winter hasn’t completely knocked the biker out of me…but looking forward to spring.” –Steve

89 trips. –Kevin

Biking in the winter seems a little challenging. Why do you do it?

“Using the CoGo bikes is my main form of transportation to get to work during the week. The parking garages near my workplace don’t have any space available so biking is the most cost effective way for me to get to work!” – SP

“With temperatures below freezing riding a bike gets me to work much faster than walking. Plus with all of the ‘spring’ days we’ve had this winter it gives me a chance to get out on a brisk ride when the weather allows.” –Steve

“To keep physically fit and cost savings for downtown Columbus parking for my full time job.” –Kevin

How has CoGo stood up to the winter? (Bike availability? Condition?)

“…there have been a plethora of bikes available. In terms of the condition of the bikes, apart from having to scrape snow and ice off of the seats and handlebars, they’ve been in great shape.” –SP

“The stations seem to be in great shape and with fewer riders I can usually find a bike that is already adjusted to the height I need. “– Steve

“I’ve had zero problems!”–Kevin

Where have you biked? (Work? Leisure? Lunch/Dinner? Events?)

“Apart from using CoGo as my primary commuting device I’ve also used it to travel to Hockey games in the Arena District or gallery events and restaurants in the Short North.” –SP

“The new stations at OSU are extremely convenient. When I’ve had events up there it has been nice not having to worry or pay for parking.” -Steve

“Work. I park my vehicle away from the downtown area and then ride CoGo downtown to job.” –Kevin

Talk about your clothing. What do you wear to stay warm when you ride?

“I don’t wear excessive layers when I ride, especially when I’m riding to work. I would say during the winter months, the best things to have are a pair of gloves or mittens for your hands and a scarf to cover your face!” –SP

“Plenty of layers. Thermals in the mornings with a few extra sweaters or jackets. Easier to take off when I go into my overheated building. On those really chilly days I’ll wear a ski mask, but I try not to frighten people.”  –Steve

“Heavy coat. Gloves & face shield – a MUST!” –Kevin

Do your friends or family think about your mode of transportation? Did anyone ride with you?

“I get texts on bad weather days with questions like, ‘You didn’t actually ride a bike to work today did you?’ and ‘How was your ride in? I was thinking about you when I was stuck in traffic with the snow!’” –SP  

“I’ve had lots of people at work ask me about it and they think I’m crazy for riding in the winter. But then they tell me they walk just as far. I always tell them that if it isn’t snowing or raining a bike ride is much faster. I haven’t convinced anyone to ride with me yet, but I have a co-worker ask for more details. Hopefully I can convince him to do it.” –Steve

“Most friends think I’m “crazy” to face the cold days on a bike” –Kevin

We don’t see as many bikers in the winter, how does it feel when you see a fellow winter rider?

“Honestly, I just hope that they’re warmer than me!” –SP

“I like feeling that I’m not the only person outside crazy enough to be on a bike. I definitely feel justified when I see other people riding.” –Steve

“A nice confidence builder!” –Kevin

Do you have any tips for riding in the cold or snow?

“…be smart about your route to avoid unplowed sidewalks and streets or roads with lots of traffic.” –SP

“Always wear a helmet. If it has snowed recently I like to keep to the middle of the roads. Not as much snow and easier for cars to see me. But I usually take side streets on my trips. I’d never bike in the middle of the road down High Street. Brave the cold. You never know what you’ll see.” –Steve

“Be prepared to get a little messy in the salt/slush mixture.” –Kevin

Huge thank you to these riders for their love of CoGo and also sharing their experience with us!

[cogobikeshare]

Susan Allen took our 100,000 trip!! 

Here’s her interview:

Name Susan S. Allen

Age 60

Occupation Intellectual Property Coordinator, Office of Technology Commercialization, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Location German Village, Columbus, OH

How did you first hear about CoGo?

There are CoGo Bike Stations right in my neighborhood of German Village and at the Hospital where I work. So, I knew of the program just by seeing the stations.  I had experience with similar Bike Share programs when living in Washington, DC and Chicago and was really happy to learn that a Bike Share program existed here in Columbus.  

When was your first ride and what did you think about it? 

My very first CoGo Bike Share ride was last summer, 2014).  I rented the Bike at the German Village, Schiller Park station and rode all over German Village and then all the way up to the top of Short North, almost up to  the OSU Campus area.  It was a great experience and one of the first times I was really able to explore Columbus since moving here to take a job at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It was the first time I had a better realization of what Columbus has to offer in the way of parks, independent shops and galleries and restaurants. It was a great way to get around with the stations being so close together and conveniently located at different areas of interest

How was your August 16th experience on CoGo? Where did you ride to?

It was a beautiful, warm Sunday and perfect for a bike ride.  My daughter and her boyfriend, both PhD candidates at OSU, invited me to come for a ride with them.  They had their own bikes and I don’t currently own a bike, so I decided to join them knowing I could rent a CoGo bike just around the corner from where I live at Schiller Park.  We rode through German Village and then up High Street on the bike lanes to the North Market to go to a Market Flea Sunday event.  It was perfect as there is also a CoGo Bike Share station right there at the Market, so I could “dock” my bike and spend time there.  We enjoyed walking around to see the various artists, designers, clothing vendors, etc... and then went inside the market just to look around. Our big purchase was some “hot sauce” for a gift for a friend.  From the North Market, we rode up to the Short North to a station near Jeni’s Ice Cream shop, parked the bikes, and got out to walk to Arch City Tavern/Gastropub for a drink and a snack, sitting in one of the open-air tables.  Our only other stop in Short North was the Green Olive Company, where we purchased some specialty olive oil and vinegar. Our ride back home to German Village was just as pleasant as the ride there.  The basket on the front of my CoGo bike offered a secure place to transport the food items, we’d bought that day.  There was no real destination for our ride; we were just out to enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon bike ride.

Has CoGo changed the way you see the city?  

Another ride I first took on a CoGo bike was to the 2014 Columbus Arts Festival on the Riverfront. That was another beautiful, summer afternoon and evening.  It was an easy ride to get downtown.  I could ride all around the Riverfront area and then dock the bike and walk the festival area.  The city is beautiful on a summer night with the bridges closed to traffic and only open to pedestrians and bikes.  The lighting that night was beautiful, from the colorful lighted up bridges and buildings to the night sky.  Seeing the city from a bike is a great experience.  It is much more personal and gives you the opportunity to stop along the way to see the architecture of the downtown area or the several unique neighborhoods and parks the city includes.  Unlike being in a car, where the world just goes by you and where you’re more caught up in traffic or just getting from point A to point B, when you’re on a bike you have the benefit of seeing details and getting the smells and finding routes to different areas that you might not otherwise even know about when just driving.  The person who can tell this best is David Byrne in his book, “Bicycle Diaries”.  He says, you get hooked on riding a bike in urban areas and have “a sense of liberation, exhilaration, and connection it provides. This point of view, from [the] bike seat, became his panoramic window on urban life, a magical way of opening one’s eyes to the inner workings and rhythms of a city’s geography and population.”  I can’t say it any better!

How has CoGo changed the way you get around the city?  

One advantage of using a CoGo bike is convenience and no worries about having to find parking spaces or pay for parking meters.  Probably, by the time you’d pay for a few hours of parking, especially in downtown or Short North, you could have paid for the cost of a CoGo bike that you could use for a 24-hour period.  I have really thought about getting an annual pass so I could grab a CoGo bike anytime I’d want and maybe even use it to commute to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where I work.  It would allow me to be “greener”, would be very convenient, since there is a station where I live and one where I work, and would make this 60-year-old lady a bit healthier.  I just need to motivate myself to do this and see how it would go in winter!  If I could become a member, it might mean a change of lifestyle for me.

Do you have any advice for non-CoGoers?   

Give it a try. It is fun, relatively inexpensive and easy.  The bikes are in good condition and always available. The seats adjust easily for height.  Download a map of the stations or take a look online at least before you go to just to do a brief plan of your ride before you take off.  There is good information online. I think first-time users will be pleased with the experience.