Innovation Depot Bike Share

My company at the time, VIPAAR, was located at the Innovation Depot which is a incubator for start up technology companies in Birmingham, AL. The Innovation Depot is located on the west side of downtown, which is just slightly outside of walking distance of most of the restaurants and shops. I’m a bike commuter and having a bike has been very convenient for getting to lunch or running errands. After watching my colleagues drive eight blocks to lunch, then circle around the block three times to find parking, I decided to bring some bikes up to the office.

In the fall of 2012, I procured four used bikes and fixed them up. After getting together bikes, bike racks, posters, advertisements, liability waivers and all the other fun legal documents, I received permission from the Innovation Depot to setup and maintain a bike sharing program.

After a few months I have had excellent turnout and support. People who haven’t been on a bike in 20+ years are picking them up and riding them to lunch and the park!

After seeing the bike share in action, Regions Bank has donated some really fun cruisers to the program.