Well, Tucson, the one year mark of riding the iconic orange Tugo Bike Share bikes has come and gone as we now settle into the roads of year two and beyond. The bikes have ridden many miles and made an impact on the way people think about and plan their transportation routes. Our 36 stations were laid down in November of 2017, and we’ve been cruising ever since:
In September, ahead of our One Year milestone, we celebrated a ridership achievement, surpassing 25k rides. Following, in October, Tugo introduced new passes with the Explorer Pass and Single Trip options.
“We couldn’t be happier to see how the city, residents, and students alike have supported and embraced the TuGo program. Through a variety of programs like regular coordinated rides with LSA, the Ben’s Bells bike, A Mountain Challenge, U of A Pass (and many more) with local partners and the terrific support of local sponsors – TEP, TMC, El Rio, Health On Broadway, Visit Tucson, Rio Nuevo, Gadsden, TON, Banner Health, Tucson Roadrunners, Caterpillar – the City of Tucson’s first ever bike share program is off to a great start!” – Edward Inlow, CEO Shift Transit.
Shift Transit is the Operator running the Tugo Bike Share program in partnership with the City of Tucson.
In a series of events through November, we are celebrating everything Tugo, from our One Year Anniversary Party to Team Tugo riding in El Tour de Tucson.
On Wednesday, November 14, Tugo hosted a One Year Party. Partners, community and local supporters gathered to celebrate how Tugo is making an impact in Tucson, embracing the shared economy and transportation efforts to the successful adoption of Tucsonians of the bike share model through the city. Dusty from the Roadrunners even made an appearance and had a great time!
“We’re really pleased with the success of Tugo this first year. We are excited to continue our partnership with Shift Transit and grow the program so more Tucsonians and visitors have access to sustainable mobility options.” – Ann Chanecka, City of Tucson
While still on a high from the excitement of Wednesday’s celebration, Team Tugo, in their matching team jerseys, took to the rolling trail of the El Tour de Tucson event. On Saturday, November 17, exactly one year from the official program launch date, 18 enthusiastic and determined riders hopped on Tugo bikes and rode the 25 mile leg of El Tour. Team Tugo was organized in partnership with local supporters and LSA. All proceeds from the fundraising effort went to LSA, a close partner of Tugo’s throughout the first year. Congratulations to all our riders!
The fun doesn’t stop here. We are just getting started and excited to take on Year 2 and beyond.
Let’s continue to ride together, Tucson!
On Tuesday, November 6th, Tucsonians are heading to the voting polls. In an effort to help and encourage travel to their voting locations, Tugo Bike Share is hosting a Free Ride Day for Election Day 2018. Pick up a FREE Single Trip pass and include biking into your transit plan to get you to your voting station on time.
So, Tucson, on November 6th, put us into your commuting plan and take advantage of the $0 Single Trip passes all day long. Visit our System Map online or hop onto the CycleFinder app and find the closest station to connect your route. Download CycleFinder for Apple or Android.
Redeem your $0 Single Trip pass:
1) Go to any of our 36 Bike Share stations. Find your nearest station on the System Map page or by downloading CycleFinder app.
2) Select “Buy a pass” on a kiosk touch screen and select “$0 Single Trip,” then insert your credit card and follow on screen instructions. You can also obtain your pass on CycleFinder by selecting “Unlock bike” then “Buy a plan”.
3) After registration is complete, enter your 5-digit ride code on any dock with an available bike and start riding.
4) Ride through Tucson for up to a maximum of 30 minutes with a Single Trip pass. *Overage Fees will apply for trips exceeding 30 minutes in length. See Pricing page for more details.
Ride to Vote, Tucson!
-From your Friends at Tugo Bike Share
In celebration of the one year anniversary of Tugo Bike Share, we have paired with the Living Streets Alliance to create “Team Tugo,” and participate in the exciting 25 mile ride of the El Tour De Tucson event on November 17th. Tugo has had a great first year connecting with the incredible people and culture of the city of Tucson, and we are so excited to see how we can continue to grow in our service outreach.
Team Tugo is open to 130 riders, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Living Streets Alliance, which is a non-profit organization that advocates for safe streets in the city of Tucson so we can better enjoy our community. LSA envisions streets as living public spaces that connect people to places and to each other. Tugo and LSA have had a close relationship all year, co-hosting monthly rides and events to various locations around Tucson. It has been a great way for riders to not only experience the community and what it has to offer, but to have an experience exploring Tucson on a Tugo!
All Team Tugo riders will:
Registration for the El Tour (25 mile event) and Team Tugo is all done through the Living Streets Alliance website. All participants must be 18 years or older or 16 years old with an adult in order to participate. Registration is open until November 1st. Sign up today, for a fun and relaxed way to participate in this year’s Tour de Tucson!
Tugo Bike Share, along with Ben’s Bells, launched the “Be Kind” bike program in August for a 6 week period. The #KindStreets campaign launched 2 uniquely wrapped bikes, designed by Ben’s Bells, in an effort to drive ridership with Tugo, while giving back to the community; Tugo committed a $1 donation for every mile ridden on the “Be Kind” bikes. The unique bikes were featured at various Tugo Stations around the Tucson metro and logged a total 170 miles. Tugo Bike Share, along with Operator Shift Transit, matched each mile logged with a donation totaling over $300 dollars for Ben’s Bells. Ben’s Bells and Tugo were excited to launch the first unicorn bike program for Tucson and are very pleased with the success.
Ben’s Bells is an organization with a goal to teach individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and to inspire people to practice kindness as a way of life.
Tugo Bike Share is made possible through a partnership with the City of Tucson who secured federal grant funding for the bikes and stations. Sponsorship from several partners since the program’s inception, has contributed to the success of Year 1; Thank you to Tucson Electric Power, Tucson Medical Center, Tohono O’odham Nation, Visit Tucson, El Rio, Health on Broadway, Rio Nuevo, Banner Health, Gadsden, Caterpillar and Tucson Roadrunners.
-Keep riding, Tucson!
Nick Grzebienik
248-978-2579
Tucson, September 10th, 2018 – Tugo Bike Share welcomes the return of the University of Arizona students, as well as a small break in the weather, with free rides to all current and new cyclists in Tucson for the week of September 10th thru September 16th. It’s the perfect opportunity to for U of A Students, Tucson residents, and visitors alike to change up their daily commute to work or enjoy a leisurely outing around town in a new and healthy way.
The program, operated by bike share provider Shift Transit, allows riders to go to any of Tugo’s 36 stations throughout Tucson select the “$0 One Day” pass option from the station on site or through the Cyclefinder app, available for download via the iTunes store or Android. Riders will still need to enter home address, phone number, and credit card info before accessing a bicycle. This will provide riders with as many FREE 30-minute rides as they would like throughout the week.
Tugo is made possible through a partnership with the City of Tucson who secured federal grant funding for the bikes and stations. Tugo would also not be possible without the generous support of Tucson Electric Power, Tucson Medical Center, Banner Health, Tohono O’odham Nation, Visit Tucson, Rio Nuevo, El Rio, Health On Broadway, Caterpillar and Tucson Roadrunners.
1. Go to any of our 36 bike share stations from September 10-16. Find your nearest station by visiting our System Map online or downloading CycleFinder.
2. Select “Buy a Pass” on kiosk touch screen and select “0 One-Day”, then insert your credit card and follow on screen instructions. You can also obtain your pass on CycleFinder by selecting “Unlock bike”, then “Buy a Plan”.
3. After completing the transaction, pick any bike and type in your code.
4. Ride through Tucson for up to a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. *Overage fees will apply if you go over 30 minutes.
5. Return your bike at any station and take out another by inserting your credit card, or by using CycleFinder, then repeat step 3-5. You can take as many FREE 30 minute trips as you like during the week of September 10-16.
Nick Grzebienik
248-978-2579
ngrzebienik@shifttransit.net
Launched on Monday, August 6, two colorful unicorn bikes hit the streets for the #KindStreets campaign. Tugo, in partnership with Ben’s Bells, wants to get the people of Tucson riding for a good cause.
For a six week period, each mile ridden on the Ben’s Bells Be Kind Bikes will generate a $1 donation to Ben’s Bells Project, on behalf of Tugo.
(source: bensbells.org)
Ben’s Bells is equally committed to the #KindStreets campaign, as expressed by Amy Collinsworth, Ben’s Bells’ Education Program Manager: ” Ben’s Bells Project is so excited and grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tugo Bike share. Cycling is an important aspect of Tucson’s culture, and the cycling community has always been a friend to Ben’s Bells. We can’t wait to see the pictures and videos people share of the “Be Kind Bikes” in action! “
Tugo will share clues on a regular basis via Instagram and Facebook posts and stories to help riders locate where the bikes are docked within the system. How can you participate and make a difference in the #KindStreets Campaign? Here’s how:
1. Locate a Be Kind Bike with the Tugo Bike Share System *Follow Tugo on Facebook and Instagram to get regular updates on where the bike has been spotted
2. Use your member card if you are an Annual or Monthly member or purchase a Daily Pass to unlock the Be Kind Bike
3. Ride unlimited 30-minute trips on your purchased Pass and help rack up those miles!
4. Want to ride longer than 30 minutes? Simply dock the Be Kind Bike before your 30 minute trip is up, then unlock again with a new code or your member card. Trips longer than 30 minutes will be subject to usage fees.
5. For every mile ridden on the two Be Kind Bikes combined, Tugo will donate $1 to Ben’s Bells. Get riding and help to grow the donation!
Tugo will be running a social media contest to drive further awareness in the community to elevate the campaign. Participants are encouraged to follow Tugo (@Tugobikeshare) and Ben’s Bells (@bensbells) on Instagram and Facebook and use hashtag #KindStreets to be entered. Each week for 6 weeks, Tugo will randomly select a Be Kind Bike photo from all #KindStreets photos posted. Winners will receive a prize pack from Tugo and Ben’s Bells.
Tugo Bike Share launched in November 2017 and the program has received tremendous community excitement and support. With a few months until Tugo celebrates the first year milestone, there is great optimism in continuing the journey to provide the People and City of Tucson with a sustainable and efficient transportation option.
The Be Kind Bikes for the #KindStreets campaign is just one initiative on how Tugo wants to bring together community partners to be able to give back that support and excitement that local organizations have extended our way.
Lots more in store, but in the meantime…
Tugo to where you need to go. Ride On, Tucson!