MAYOR KASIM REED ANNOUNCES RELAY BIKE SHARE PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGIA’S OWN CREDIT UNION

ATLANTA – Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that Georgia’s Own Credit Union is the first presenting sponsor for Relay, the City of Atlanta’s bike share program. Mayor Reed was joined by Georgia’s Own Credit Union President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Preter, Cyclehop Chief Executive Officer Josh Squire and City of Atlanta Chief Bicycle Officer Becky Katz at a press conference where they celebrated the expansion of Relay and the new partnership. The event took place at the credit union’s new home, the former Equitable Building, in downtown Atlanta. Relay is operated by Cyclehop on behalf of the City of Atlanta.

“We are pleased to announce that Georgia’s Own Credit Union is the Atlanta’s bike share program’s presenting sponsor,” said Mayor Reed. “With this commitment, Georgia’s Own Credit Union becomes a vital partner in our plan to make Atlanta one of the top bicycling cities in the country. We are grateful for this hometown company’s strong support of Atlanta’s growing bicycling culture.”

Earlier this month, the City of Atlanta expanded the bike share program with an additional twelve stations in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Relay will ultimately include 500 bikes with more than 50 stations citywide.

The City of Atlanta is working to become a more bicycle friendly city with additional initiatives. The TSPLOST referendum, approved by 68 percent of Atlanta voters, will allow for the installation of additional bicycle lanes throughout the city. The Renew Atlanta infrastructure program is also building complete streets projects citywide.

“We are thrilled to join the city in furthering what we believe to be a convenient, affordable and eco-friendly transportation option for residents, employees and visitors in and around the city,” said Dave Preter, Georgia’s Own Credit Union Chief Executive Officer. “For us, it will be a great way for our staff to navigate our new neighborhood in the heart of the city and stay connected with our partners in the area, and I imagine it will be equally beneficial for all Atlanta patrons.”

Relay offers multiple plans and rental options, making it a convenient choice for people commuting, shopping or visiting any of Atlanta’s neighborhoods or world-class attractions. Since the launch of the bike share program in June, more than 1,400 Atlanta residents and visitors have conducted more than 5,000 bike share trips and ridden an average of 11,000 miles.

“Thanks to Georgia’s Own Credit Union, we can continue working to ensure that every community in the City of Atlanta has access to this fantastic transportation option,” said Becky Katz, Chief Bicycle Officer for the City of Atlanta. “We look forward to working with other community partners dedicated to making Atlanta a fun and healthy place to live, work, and visit.”

In 2012, Mayor Reed committed to the goal of making bicycling an integral part of daily life for Atlanta residents, workers and visitors by year 2016. Establishing the bike share program was an essential step in achieving this goal. The program complements the City’s investment in developing more than 30 miles of bike lanes, including four miles of protected and buffered bicycle lanes around Atlanta.

Atlanta was recently named a best bike city in the United States by Bicycle magazine.