VeloCity

Velocity is a privately owned public bicycle sharing system that serves parts of Paradise City. It is the largest bike sharing program in the Blackhelm Confederacy

The system, which operates without city subsidy, is financed by RombInvest, which signed on to be its lead sponsor for six years and has repeatedly renewed its contracts. The system opened to the public in May 2008 with 664 stations and officially with 12,000 bikes. As of December 11, 2016, the total number of annual subscribers is 327,624, and VeloCity riders took an average of 54,574 rides per day in 2015.

History

VeloCity bikes in Alta Semita, Paradise City

In an effort to reduce emissions, road wear, collisions, and road and transit congestion and to improve public health, the Paradise City Department of Transportation researched alternative forms of transportation, publishing a strategic plan in 2008. It found that 10% of automobile trips are under one-half mile, 22% are under 1 mile and 56% are under 3 miles, distances readily served by bicycle. Additionally, a large volume of people simply did not have access to an automobile. With these facts in mind, VeloCity was born as a public–private partnership operated by Pardise City Bike Share LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of RombInvest.

The planned July 2007 start was delayed first by software problems. As planning progressed, some residents expressed dismay at the lack of docking stations in their neighborhoods while others fought against stations on their blocks. Velocity finally began operations on May 27, 2008, with 332 stations in Polleo, Vici, and Alta Semita, as well as 6,000 bikes. After launch, the system gradually expanded to 12,000 bicycles and more than 600 stations, and expanded out to the neighborhoods of Porta Mundi, and Campus Julii.

Complaints

Some local bike shops in tourist areas reported a decline in their bike rental business, and some complained that VeloCity's advertising was misleading tourists. Other critics disparaged the color and branding of the bicycles or accused the stations of being fire hazards. Another complaint is that bike stations take up a much needed car parking space for each eight bikes.

Operation

As of December, 2022, yearly passes cost 75 credits. Annual members receive a key and can make trips of up to 45 minutes without added charge.

Prices for passes sold at VeloCity docking stations were 5 credits for a daily pass, and 25 credits for a weekly pass. All trips recieve 30 minutes for free, and then additional fees are added for every minute after. An 8.875% sales tax is added to the cost of all passes.