Link bike share to expand into other Dayton neighborhoods

The expansion hopefully will increase ridership while serving new areas, said Laura Estandia, executive director of Bike Miami Valley.

Some studies have shown that bike station density is a big part of why some bike-share programs are successful, as stations near each other see more use.

“Now that we’re coming out of the pandemic, we’re optimistic about future growth,” Estandia said.

Next week, Link’s system of hubs will grow to 34 from 27, which is the first expansion since 2016.

Link allows people to unlock and rent bicycles using a mobile app. The network of hubs added three new bike racks in 2016.

Last fall, Link announced it would install new stations in the Carillon neighborhood in West Dayton and the Huffman neighborhood in East Dayton.

The bike-share program has overdelivered on that promise.

A new hub will be installed at East Third and June streets, near the DK Effect “brewcade” and Gionino’s Pizza.

Another will open at Huffman Avenue and East Fourth Street.

The Carillon neighborhood in West Dayton will get stations at the OneFifteen campus and Welcome Park.

Deeds Point, across the river north of RiverScape MetroPark, will get a hub that is sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks.

“As warm weather finally comes and the Deeds Point Bridge reopens — soon —we’re excited to see the Link network expand to serve more of our community,” said Becky Benná, executive director of Five Rivers MetroParks. “Link Bike is convenient, safe, healthy, and, most of all, fun.”

Two new hubs sponsored by CareSource will open on Jefferson Street at the First and Fifth Street intersections.

“Increasing density is important to us,” Estandia said.

Link has two bike racks in West Dayton at the Jobs Center and the Wright Dunbar Business District.

Link has a fleet of 225 traditional green pedal bikes and 100 white electric-assisted bikes.

Consumers can purchase day passes to ride or 90-day or annual memberships. Users also can “pay as they go,” at a cost of 10 or 15 cents per minute, in addition to a $1 unlock fee.

Link’s ridership declined significantly during the pandemic, since many downtown employees worked from home and fewer people took trips to grab lunch and get around.

Fewer leisure and recreation activities in the center city also contributed to reduced ridership.

But bike-share usage has picked up this year, as growing numbers of people get vaccinated, restrictions are eased and more things open up.

Link serves about 3,500 unique users every year.

Link “has been an amazing resource for keeping our city active and bike-friendly,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. “We see this expansion into Carillon and Huffman neighborhoods as an investment in more mobility options for more Dayton residents.”

The city supported the expansion into the Carillon and Huffman neighborhoods.