Family ready to launch YoGo Bikeshare, first e-bike rental program in Youngstown
As the weather warms, a new bikeshare program is starting soon for people traveling through Youngstown.
The Elkins family is launching YoGo Bikeshare, which will offer 30 electric-assist bikes, also known as e-bikes, to local residents and visitors for commuting in the area.
They aim to increase environmental awareness and encourage taking a different way to work instead of driving.
“This has been a long time coming, so we are extremely excited,” said Ronnell Elkins, president of YoGo Bikeshare. “We are overwhelmed by the level of support the community has shown us throughout this process, and now we’re happy to kick off this bikeshare program that will bring so much positivity to the entire area.”
They’re the first Mahoning Valley bikeshare program set to start rolling this spring.
How does YoGo work?
The e-bikes will be parked at four docking stations throughout the city, ready for residents and visitors to use seasonally.
After its launch on April 13, YoGo bikes will be available starting this spring from 7:45 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day throughout the year except in the winter.
Download the YoGo Bikeshare app via the Apple App Store or Google Play to create an account and reserve e-bikes.
The e-bikes will be available at the following docking stations:
- By the Youngstown Flea at 5th Ave & Federal St
- CycWard Bike Shop at 1205 Elm Street
- West Commerce Street at Erie Terminal
- Emily Alley at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
Participants are asked to return bikes to a docking station. Doing this prevents e-bikes from being left throughout the city, and users will be charged if their e-bikes aren’t properly returned to a station.
It costs around $4 for a 20-minute ride or up to $90 for an annual frequent rider subscription. For more information, visit the YoGo website.
E-bikes hitting the road on April 13
YoGo will launch at 4 - 7 p.m. on April 13 at the Youngstown Flea.
During the event, a kick-off community ride on the new YoGo e-bikes will occur.
Loud 102.3’s DJ Chip Banks will be playing music, and you can grab something to eat from Big Dude’s Smoked Meats.
“This is our home, and everyone in our organization wants to help the city continue to grow and thrive,” Elkins said. YoGo Bikeshare will help foster more community interaction, provide a fun way to get a little exercise, bring more traffic to local businesses, and even help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by giving people more chances to use an alternative source of transportation.”
Elkins said he was inspired to start the Youngstown bikeshare program after visiting Washington, D.C., in 2017.
