Veoride bikeshare program kicks off in Calhoun County

CALHOUN COUNTY, AL (WBRC) - A new bikeshare program has kicked off in east Alabama.

What makes Veoride different is that it’s the first regional bikeshare in the state, connecting Oxford, Anniston, Jacksonville, and Jacksonville State University.

There are bikeshare programs at colleges and universities and in large cities like Birmingham.

But the man who runs Veoride says this particular plan in east Alabama could be a model for bikesharing in other areas.

“I’m also hoping this kind of becomes a model for other bikeshare, in like the region or in other states,” says Carl Stream of Veoride. “The focus being on smaller communities, there aren’t regional bikeshare programs. And I think this is a good model I think we’ll see moving forward.”

The ribbon cutting was held in the old Jacksonville Train Depot, a station that once served the railroad that now makes up the Chief Ladiga Trail. After the ribbon cutting, dignitaries--including the mayors of the three cities and JSU president John Beehler--were allowed to ride the bicycles themselves.

You can rent the bicycles through Veoride's mobile app.

The app includes a map showing where the bicycles are located.

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