PedalShare Could Cruise Into East Hampton Village Next Spring

Chris Dimon and Patrick O’Donoghue, the founders of PedalShare and Southampton natives, have introduced the first bike sharing program to the East End, one that is similar to Citi Bike in Manhattan. So far, they have been successful in Westhampton Beach and Southampton Village — and now they have hopes of cruising into East Hampton Village next spring.

Mr. Dimon presented his idea to the East Hampton Village Board at a work session on Friday, September 6, and it received a unanimous go-ahead.

“Sounds exciting. Let’s go for it,” said Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. before the end of the meeting.

The bike racks would be placed at Main Beach, the train station, the long-term parking lot, Village Hall and Egypt Beach in East Hampton Village. Users would have to download an app to their cellphones and sign up for PedalShare. They would pay $4 an hour, or $35 for the day, or choose a yearly membership with an unlimited number of one-hour rides for $59. They would choose a bike, unlock it and take off. The bikes would be returned to one of the several racks throughout the village.

“The only thing that is really required is cellphone service itself,” Mr. Dimon told the board, adding that the bike locks are released through Bluetooth. The service can monitor where the bikes are, and which stations are being used most frequently, as well as where bike-sharers are riding.

Signs at the rack provide information about how to rent the bike, download the app and cycling laws within the village, including where to ride — biking on Newtown Lane and Main Street is prohibited, for instance. A map on the app also gives riders information about where they are allowed to ride.

Mr. Dimon explained that bike share programs are the newest models in “first and last mile transportation,” providing eco-friendly alternative’s to driving, especially with the addition of the South Fork Commuter Connection train.

He and Mr. O'Donoghue received permission in 2018 to start the PedalShare program in Southampton Village with 20 bicycles and five parking stations. In recent weeks, they were given the go-ahead to place bikes throughout the Village of Westhampton Beach, as well.

“We currently have 40 bikes and over 450 users throughout our system,” Mr. Dimon told the board as members flipped through a PowerPoint presentation he passed out.

In Southampton, PedalShare has stations at Agawam Park, Coopers Beach, Gin Lane Beach, the train station and Butler’s Manor, a bed and breakfast.

Mr. Rickenbach asked if Mr. Dimon could offer a rate of success or failure for the bike share system in the other villages.

In Southampton Village, the mayor was told, they’ve had over 400 bikes used.

“We just launched in Westhampton two weeks ago and we’ve had very good ridership,” Mr. Dimon said, adding that people are still learning that the bikes are there and that, so far, they’ve had no issues or incidents.

“My vision is, I would like to have a helmet on the head of anyone who would rent that bike — for their own safety," Mr. Rickenbach said.

Mr. Dimon said there really is no way to make sure that riders wear helmets, and that the program hasn't provided helmets, mainly for sanitary reasons.

Village Police Chief Michael Tracey noted that the law requires anyone under the age of 14 to wear a helmet, but that otherwise the village doesn’t have a specific law regarding helmets.

“I think it’s great,” board member Barbara Borsack said of the program.

“What happens when someone wants to return a bike to the rack and the rack is full?” board member Richard Lawler wanted to know.

Mr. Dimon answered that there is geo-fencing around the rack, allowing people to leave their bikes near the rack and lock them up. The next morning, PedalShare reallocates the bikes to make sure they are evenly distributed.

“We haven't experienced them laying on the ground … people do try to place them nicely,” Mr. Dimon said.

Mr. Lawler said there are several areas in East Hampton Village that lack have adequate cellphone service, including some of the popular beaches — Georgica Beach in particular, he said.

“What happens when someone takes a bike into an area with no cell phone service?” he asked.

Mr. Dimon said that if cellphone service becomes an issue, he is able to go in through the back end of the app and end a ride. In addition, Mr. Dimon said he is trying to install cell service boosters at his racks, because with no service, people won’t be able to log into the app and rent a bike.

Mr. Dimon said introducing the bike share to East Hampton would cost the village absolutely nothing, adding that PedalShare will provide its own insurance.

Before the conversation ended, board member Rose Brown said that ridership on the Long Island Rail Road from March1 to July 31 had increased from 11,000 to 24,000 over last year. She attributed hat to the Commuter Connection, adding that she’s seen a lot of people using the train and walking to work or taking the shuttle bus.

“I could see people utilizing this service as well,” Ms. Brown said.