Officials Launch Bike-Sharing At 3 Suffolk Communities

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Bicycle lovers rejoice! Suffolk County launched its new bike-share program at three local communities this week.

On Sunday morning, officials kicked off the program, Bethpage Ride, in the Villages of Babylon, Patchogue and Hampton Bays.

In Babylon, the bicycles can be found at:

• the Babylon LIRR station
• the Babylon Village Pool
• Argyle Park/Carlston Place
• Locust Avenue
• Park Avenue
• Totten Place

In Patchogue, the bicycle docking stations are located at:

• the Patchogue LIRR station
• Blue Point Brewery
• Patchogue Theatre Alley
• Roe Walkway
• Davis Park Ferry
• Mascot Dock

In Hampton Bays, residents can rent the bikes at:

• Good Ground Park
• downtown Hampton Bays
• Tiana Beach
• Ponquogue Beach
• Shinnecock Inlet

"What a tremendous asset for village residents and visitors to travel through our village and experience our greenway from Argyle Lake to Belmont park," Village of Babylon Mayor Ralph Scordino said.

Photo credit: office of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone

The new program involves users downloading the Pace Bike Share app and rent one of the available bicycles. Users can either pay per ride or buy a membership.

Riders can pay $1 for 15 minutes, but can also pay for a monthly plan for $10 or a yearly plan for $60 per year. Both plans allow for unlimited trips of up to 30 minutes.

"Our bike share program will not only reduce congestion on our roadways, but will help provide the critical first and last-mile connection when using public transit," County Executive Steve Bellone said.

The bike-sharing program was unveiled just before Car Free Day on Friday, September 20.

With the code ridecarfree60, which can be redeemed on the Pace Bike Share app, users will receive a 60-minute free ride to try the system, which will be available until the end of the year.

Are you planning on trying the new bike-sharing program? Let us know what you think in the comments below.