Residents ages 12 and up can rent the bikes with an ID and credit card
FREMONT – For the past few years, Laura Bogard, a Sandusky County Public Health nurse and health educator, has had the privilege of utilizing Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) grant money to generate healthy living opportunities for county residents. Most recently, she headed a collaboration between the health department and the YMCA of Sandusky County to provide free bike rentals to Sandusky County residents and their guests.
“It gives people an opportunity for active living and provides a different, healthy form of transportation,” Bogard said.
On Sept. 21, six bikes became available through the Cycle Sandusky County Bike Share program. Any Sandusky County resident age 12 and over can rent the bikes, free of charge, at the YMCA. Included in the free rental are bike helmets and bike locks.
Renting a bike requires ID, credit card
Bike renters must provide a state-issued ID and secure the bike with a credit card, which will only be charged if the bike is damaged or not returned. People under 18 can only rent bikes with a signed waiver by their parent or guardian.
Bikes may be kept until the Y closes each day. If bikes are rented on Saturdays or Sundays, when the Y closes early, they can be returned the next day.
When Bogard began searching for an organization to partner with the health department on the bike project, the Y was a perfect fit. Both organizations were community contributors to the Sandusky County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and participated in the Community Health Assessment. Recently, the Y completed a strategic plan that opened the door to further collaboration.
“A bunch of things came together at the right time to make this happen,” said BJ Duckworth, senior director of operations at the YMCA of Sandusky County. “We recently worked through a strategic plan process and identified the need to find opportunities to live out our mission outside our building.”
Health department bike project was a perfect fit for YMCA
The bike project fit well with the Y’s mission of promoting healthy living, social responsibility and youth development.
“Everything we do flows out of those three elements,” Duckworth said.
Other partners that helped bring the bike program to fruition are TRIPS, Spokelife Cycles and the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau.
Cycle Sandusky County Bike Share program is more than just a bike rental service. It is also a means to connect local residents to businesses and attractions throughout the county. The Sandusky County Visitors Bureau created an interactive map to help cyclists discover museums, trailheads, restaurants, fishing access and more. The list is useful to any cyclist, whether they utilize the bike share program or use their own bikes.
“We want to create a list of bike-friendly businesses so cyclists will know where they can get water, have bathroom access or find discounts for cyclists,” Duckworth said.
The health department purchased bike racks and bike repair stations with the CHC grants as well.
“The bike repair stations will be open to the public,” said Ally Smith, an epidemiologist and health educator for Sandusky County Public Health. “There will be a repair station at the YMCA and one at the Hayes Center.”
The YMCA of Sandusky County is at 1000 North St. More information can be found at sanduskycounty.org/bikeshare or by calling 419-332-9622.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
