WEST PALM BEACH DDA BRINGS THE POPULAR DECOBIKE PROGRAM TO DOWNTOWN FOR NATIONAL URBANISM CONFERENCE

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2012)  DecoBike is joining forces with the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to showcase its “green,” alternative form of transportation during the Congress for the New Urbanism’s national CNU 20 event in West Palm Beach. The “bikeshare” program will offer a fun, environmentally friendly way for more than 1,000 attendees at the conference to move around the Downtown District. It will operate from Wednesday, May 9 through Saturday, May 12, and offer solar-powered bikeshare stations and dozens of DecoBikes at sites around Downtown West Palm Beach.

“We are very excited to be bringing our bicycle sharing program to the streets of Downtown West Palm Beach,” said Mr. Reese, chief marketing officer of DecoBike LLC. “It’s a great way to get a taste of an improved quality of life for those who live, work and play in the area. It’s also a terrific way for CNU 20 attendees and other visitors to get to know the city.”

DecoBike station locations include the Clematis District’s Centennial Square Park at the waterfront, CityPlace, and the Palm Beach County Convention Center. CNU 20 attendees can register for a free pass to access the system while members of the public wishing to check out a bike can do so just by swiping their credit card at the stations.

“The Earth-friendly bicycle sharing concept fits perfectly into the downtown lifestyle and we’ve been working towards bringing it to the area for a couple years. DecoBike has been such a success in Miami, so when the partnership opportunity arose with CNU, we couldn’t wait to introduce it here in Downtown West Palm Beach,” said Raphael Clemente, executive director of the DDA. “We hope locals and visitors alike see the benefit of mixing healthy entertainment with eco-conscious decisions.”

DecoBike’s Miami-Miami Beach bike sharing program has been heralded as one of the most successful bikeshare programs in North America, logging an average of more than 100,000 rides per month so far this year. Since its launch about one year ago, DecoBike’s riders have offset more than 2,400,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, journeyed more than 2,500,000 miles and burned over 90,000,000 calories.

The DecoBike demonstration will allow people to power their own journeys at their own pace and experience the benefits of bike sharing first-hand.  Bikeshare programs have become one of the most desired features of forward-thinking communities around the globe, both as “green” transportation and a healthy leisure amenity.  The results prove that individuals can have a positive impact on themselves and their communities through bike sharing.

For more information about DecoBike, please visit DecoBike.com.

For details on DecoBike in Downtown West Palm Beach or more information about the Clematis District, contact the DDA at (561) 833-8873 or visit WPBGO.com or westpalmbeachdda.com.

About the Downtown Development Authority

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.

British Consolate General Kevin McGurgan (far left), Lennox Lewis (center) riding DecoBikes in South Beach

Today the DecoBike bells were ringing loud and clear on Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive. Police closed the world-famous strip of real estate to automobiles to make way for the British Consulate and DecoBike to host an amazing event to celebrate the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics. With exactly 100 days left until the kickoff of the London Olympics, Olympic Gold Medalist and Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world Lennox Lewis, led a roving sea of 100 DecoBike riders adorned in British attire through the streets of South Beach alongside British Consulate General Kevin McGurgan.

Lewis, a British citizen and Miami Beach resident that has traveled the world, is an avid fan of cycling and environmentally sustainable programs like DecoBike. When asked about the DecoBike bicycle sharing program, Lewis responded “It’s a great concept. The DecoBikes are very comfortable to ride.”  With Lewis standing at a towering 6 foot 5 inches tall, it goes to show DecoBike is for all types of people to enjoy.   Throughout the day, Lewis took the time to give a variety of media interviews, take photos with fans and sign autographs for flocks of participants and fans.  DecoBike sends a big “Hip Hip hooray!” to the British Consulate and Lenox Lewis for participating in this fun community event that also had a global reach.

DecoBIke is the official bikeshare program of South Beach and the City of Miami Beach. The program is the first privately funded, city-wide bikeshare operation to launch in the United States and is operated by DecoBike LLC (with no cost to the city’s tax payers). DecoBike has new programs pedaling forward in several other municipalities, including the beachfront communities of Surfside, Florida and the City of Long Beach located on Long Island, New York.

DecoBike is cranking along! The atmosphere is ripe for high ridership in Miami Beach and its South Beach Art Deco District. The fleet logged a new monthly ridership record with 125,411 rides logged in the month of March 2012! Since the start of the New Year, DecoBike has been the busiest bikeshare in the US, averaging over 100,000 rides each month. Traffic jams and congested roads go to show that it really pays to have access to a DecoBike, making it the quickest and easiest way to move about.  Bike sharing programs are here to stay!

City of Miami Beach Mayor & Commissioners honor DecoBike

Today, the Mayor and City Commission announced and proclaimed that March 15^th is officially “DecoBike Day.”  This date marks the anniversary of DecoBike Miami Beach’s rollout, and will be celebrated annually as the program pedals onward. The program is one of the country’s largest and most used bikeshare programs. It is also the first privately funded city-wide bikeshare operation.  Commissioners applauded the program’s success and the benefits that it provides for community and the environment.  The build-out of DecoBike Miami Beach is the nation’s most comprehensive with roughly 15 stations per square mile on average and it’s currently the busiest systemwith  more than 101,000 rides logged in the past month.

DecoBike Miami Beach – South Beach celebrates its 1-Year Anniversary!

Some thought the idea was crazy. Others thought it would never work. Many doubted our residents would use it. But, in just one fast-paced year, DECOBIKE has pedaled to the forefront of the bike sharing world, changing an entire city for the better!   So far our program has achieved some cool and amazing results. Between March 15, 2011 and March 15, 2012, we have:

• Journeyed more than 1,978,310 miles
• Clocked 11,869,860 minutes of ride time
• Helped our riders burn 74,186,625 calories
• Logged a staggering 717,522 rides
• Offset more than 1,899,178 pounds of harmful CO2 emissions
• Created 30 new “green” jobs and careers
• Won several national and regional awards
• Improved the quality of life for all that live, work and play in Miami Beach

DECOBIKE would like to thank all of our members, patrons, friends, staff, supporters & friends at the City of Miami Beach for making this possible! Together, we have proven that bike sharing is a valuable asset for our community, which is now also stunning role model for other cities to follow.

www.decobike.com

As an extension of The Hertz Corporation’s launch of Hertz On Demand in Miami Beach, Florida, Hertz On Demand & Decobike are proud to announce their partnership, which represents the greenest and easiest way to get around Miami Beach and the surrounding areas. Both programs encourage locals and visitors to use sustainable, innovative and convenient modes of transportation. 

Decobike members that sign up for Hertz On Demand car sharing service will receive $15 in driving credits upon enrollment. The promotion begins on March 1, 2012 and will continue through March 30, 2012.  Just use promo code “DECOBIKE” to take advantage of this perk at www.hertzondemand.com

Hertz on Demand, Hertz’s global car sharing club, and offers a variety of vehicles available for online reservation at competitive rates. All cars are equipped with Eileo® technology, and benefits covered by the hourly rate include gas, insurance, GPS turn-by-turn navigation, 24/7 roadside assistance, 24-hour Member Care Center communication, and 180 free miles per day. See the video from 3BL Media

Decobike is the Official City of Miami Beach Public Bicycle Sharing & Rental Program. More information on Decobike is available at www.decobike.com 

Decobike Expands Bikeshare operations to Surfside, Florida

DecoBike reached agreement with the exclusive enclave of Surfside, located  immediately north of the city of Miami Beach and its world-famous South Beach Art Deco District. The forward-thinking mayor and commissioners of Surfside witnessed the effectiveness and success of DecoBike’s programs, which yield very high daily usage rates– a true sign of bike sharing being utilized by the masses in the US. Currently the DecoBike Miami Beach program is logging a city-wide average of 5-6 rides per day for each bicycle in their entire fleet, making it the most utilized program in the country.

Expect to see DecoBike Sursfide in operation this Summer, 2012. DecoBike also launches another program this Summer along the shores of the City of Long Beach, located on New York’s Long Island.

DecoBike is pleased to announce the launch of the Official Miami Beach & South Beach Bicycle Tour, operating in partnership with Discovery Miami Beach. This new bike tour is ideal for those wanting to experience the best Miami Beach and South Beach have to offer. The core of the tour is based in the world-famous South Beach Art Deco District and combines a DecoBike bicycle rental with a state-of-the-art, portable multi-media & audio tour player that allows riders to embark on a journey to 29+ notable and historic attractions.  

The DECOBIKE Miami Beach & South Beach Bike Tour is your self-guided tour to the very best the city has to offer including glamorous hotels, historic sites, pop culture hot spots and even a few local favorites. It’s better than a regular bike tour because riders can go about at their own pace and actually stop and enjoy shops and restaurants along the way, or check out our amazing parks and beaches.  Along the way we’ll tell you the story of this gem by the sea. You’ll hear from artists, celebrities, historians, architecture experts and others who know Miami Beach best. As you make your way around town you’ll discover the mix of old and new, historic and hip, classic and cutting-edge – not to mention the people – that make Miami Beach special!  

To book your bike tours or pick up your tour players, you can visit the Art Deco Welcome Center, located at 1001 Ocean Drive. Once you book your tour, DecoBikes may be picked up from and parked at any of 85+ convenient locations, 24 hours a day. DecoBike stations and available bikes can be easily located via the DecoBike website and iPhone app, or the CityBikes Android app. With a fleet of 1,000 custom bikes to choose from, DecoBike can accommodate small or large groups. For information for conventions and larger groups, please email us at tours@decobike.com

DecoBike is the Official Public Bicycle Sharing & Rental Program for the City of Miami Beach.

DECOBIKE partners with Winter Party Festival to provide DECOBIKE ”green and sustainable” transportation services throughout the city of Miami Beach, South Beach and on-site at the new Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, home of one of the largest events during the festival. Winter Party attracts more than 10,000 guests from around the world for one of the country’s premiere LBGT events. The annual festival features a six-day extravaganza featuring the most spectacular venues, parties and receptions and the best international DJ talent.Winter Party is organized and produced by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, a non-profit organization, along with the help of more than 300 volunteers.

DECOBIKE Station installed at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel along the BeachWalk in South Beach, Miami Beach FL

DECOBIKE Station at the Winter Pary Welcome Center at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

Decobike was a big hit this past weekend for the Miami Art Museum’s Contemporaries Art Crawl, with dozens of graffiti art enthusiasts taking to the streets of Miami’s Design and Wynwood districts.  This area has become a mecca for high-end graffiti exhibits strewn about on giant building walls and rendered with the utmost detail, drawing fans from around the world. Even Louis Aguirre, host of Deco Drive that airs on WSVN FOX, chose Decobike to check out the exhibit. Decobike partnered with MAM and provided dozens of Decobikes as a part of their charitable programs to assist the museum’s fundraising efforts. The event was a great success and an excellent example that art and cycling can go hand in hand (or foot on pedal!).

Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsEWs1VzeV0&feature=youtube_gdata_player 

Photos courtesy of our friends at Miami Bike Scene: http://www.flickr.com/photos/themiamibikescene/sets/72157629279511507/show/with/6860193773