Starbuck resident seeking support for bike rental station in Starbuck
News | Published on November 21, 2022 at 11:27am CST
By Kris Goracke
When traveling to a new area, how do you explore? For many, riding a bicycle is at the top of their list. It is not only fun but also, it is a perfect activity to see the sights of a community.
So, suppose you didn’t bring your bike with you on the trip? Good news, many communities offer bike rentals, giving you easy access to a bike for as long as you wish.
It is in the spirit of exploration and enjoying our community, that Starbuck resident Linda Hoffmann is seeking community and business support for a bike rental station in Starbuck.
The idea came to her while visiting in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. “We were there for a family event and we noticed a row of bikes for rent. We decided to rent them and tour the town. It was a lot of fun and gave our family a new experience to Sleepy Eye. On our drive home, I started thinking, “Why doesn’t Starbuck have something like this?” said Hoffmann.
Hoffmann took her idea to the Starbuck Chamber who supports the idea, but is lacking the funds to purchase the bikes. “We would like to start out with four bikes with a price tag of $1,300 per bike. Currently we have a discount of 10% until the end of December, so we are looking for sponsorship by the end of 2022 with shipment to Starbuck by the end of March. The bikes would be released from the stanchions via app and credit card. The software used to release and monitor the bikes will be monitored by the Starbuck Chamber,” explained Hoffmann.
The bikes are comfortable, have integrated locks and cargo baskets and usually include gearing, fenders and lights that make urban biking safe and enjoyable.
As it turns out, quality bike rental programs can have a positive influence within the community.
A Washington D.C. study suggests that bike rental programs have a positive economic impact on commercial areas. Based on the findings, bike rental stations attract more customers to nearby businesses and bike rental users were more likely to spend money within four blocks of a bike share station. Although a definite spot has not been discussed for the station, Hoffmann suggested some possible sites could be near the Starbuck Depot or Starbuck Community Center.
To date, Eagle Bank of Starbuck has committed to the sponsoring a bike. If you or your business is interested in helping this project, please contact Linda Hoffmann at starbuckchamber@gmail.com or 320-239-4220.
