The City plans to start a bike share system this spring, but it's up to the community to fund the initiative.
Reconnect Rochester, a local nonprofit, has launched a new crowdfunding campaign to pay for at least five of the bike stations.
The group is targeting its efforts toward neighborhoods which might not otherwise be funded by a corporate sponsor, along the northern edge of downtown and the Public Market areas.
"The public market is a key destination for the entire city," said Mike Governale, president of Reconnect Rochester, "It's a source of healthy food, a social gathering place and there are jobs there, where people might want to bike to and from."
Each bike station requires a community or corporate sponsorship of $9,000 per year.
"Our goal is $45,000 to fund five stations," Governale said.
The initiative will be operated by Zagster, a bike-sharing system planning program, which aims to place up to 35 stations and a total of 250 bikes throughout the region. Rochester’s cost structure has not yet been established, however a similar program in New York City costs $15 per month.
Governale said the service offers an alternative to potentially pricey cab rides, car payments and insurance. And as an on-demand, sustainable, and healthy mode of transportation, bike sharing helps build strong communities.
"Cycling is a way to work physical activity into your daily routine so maybe it doesn't feel like exercise and you're not having to go to a gym, you're actually working it into your everyday schedule."
Citizens who want to help will have until Jan. 31, 2017 to visit the group's website for a link to make a donation.
