In a city with a booming metropolitan area, a swelling population exceeding 4 million and tremendous traffic problems, a unique business is offering an alternative option for traversing the city: bicycling. Tampa’s first bike sharing company, Coast Bike Share, is “a way to get around town, a way to see the town, and a way to make the city more pedestrian friendly,” said Eric Trull, program director of Coast Bike Share. Almost two years in the making, Coast Bike Share has 30 hubs and 300 bicycles to start. There are hubs located throughout downtown, Ybor, Hyde Park, Channel Side, and Davis Island and three of those hubs are located on HCC property.

  “What Coast Bike Share is, at its most fundamental, is an option,” said Trull. Its an alternative mode of transportation; an alternative to traffic jams, road rage, and the burden of having to find parking. “Time is money, unfortunately, and in the time it takes to travel downtown and find a parking space, you could already get there in 10 to 12 minutes on a bike,” Trull adds.

  Coast Bike Share is the only serendipitous form of transportation in Tampa. Cycling around town allows you to take routes you normally wouldn’t take, you can willingly explore the city, discover new things, businesses and people. If you decide to take a break while riding, or see a place that sparks your interest, it is as simple as placing the bike on hold until you’re ready to leave.

  All that is needed to get started is a membership and the Social Bicycles app. The app enables a rider to see in real time what bicycle is closest, reserve it, and be on your way. If you frequent a spot enough, you can take a snap shot of the location, and other people can vote on that spot if they want a hub installed there. When returning the bike, the Social Bicycle app tells you what hub is closest, and also gives the option of returning the bike to any public bike rack for a $3 convenience fee. The cost of “$3 dollars, if you’re running late for a test, is nothing,” said Trull. Coast Bike Share also plans to offer students a 25% discount off the annual membership, which includes 60 minutes of free riding time every day.

  The bikes are what Trull refers to as fourth gen. Meaning all the technology is integrated into the bike: GPS, LCD display, Kevlar tires, a magnetic lock and an enclosed drive train to protect your clothing. According to Trull, other companies are years out from developing anything close to these features.

  Coast Bike Share is working with the local government to change advertising laws. There are no tax payer dollars invested in Coast Bike Share. Trull described it as “a transportation company meets advertising company,” meaning that they make all their revenue through sponsorship sales. “The company is Coast Bike Share, “but they can be represented by company x, company y, whatever the case may be,” said Trull. In five years, they plan to have over 1500 bikes all over the bay, including the beaches and Clearwater.

  For more information about Coast Bike Share visit coastbikeshare.com.