"Bike Launch Day" for Redding's new Shasta Bike Depot and bikeshare program

REDDING, Calif. — Friday, May 12, was "Bike Launch Day" at the Shasta Bike Depot in downtown Redding.

Things began with a ceremonial first bike docking at the bike depot, of the Redding Bikeshare program. Work is not quite done yet on the depot, but operator Anne Thomas told KRCR what it will soon be like.

“People can come in here, they can learn about Bikeshare, they can learn more about how to use the bike parking room. We have some retail that’s related to biking and walking. We’ll have light refreshments and some takeaway foods,” Anne Thomas, Shasta Living Streets’ executive director, told Mangas. “We do bike tours here, as well. So, you could come in here, learn about the bike tour that you’re about to take, and then go get on the bikes, and leave, from here, and head out on the [Sacramento] river trail. And then, come back here.”

KRCR's Mike Mangas joined in on a demonstration ride of the new pedal-assisted fleet of bikes made by B-Cycle. Executive Director Brian Conger arrived from Wisconsin for the big day. As is Luaren McCarthy from the Los Angeles Office of the Shared-Used Mobility Center.

“I think this is particularly unique. I haven’t seen a facility like this that is really centered in the middle of a community; that’s going to have very open access and places for the bikes to be repaired, as well as there’s supposed a café of some sort, so it could really turn into a hub of activity,” McCarthy said.

“We’re really excited to see it be a community-based non-profit model, here, because we believe that that could really bring a lot of great benefits to the community. And have it really be based to serve the community’s need. And, with the great partnerships available in Redding, we think it’s going to be a great program,” said Conger.

They're hoping the bike depot will open by the end of the month. Regardless, there's a celebration going on there right now, tonight until 10 p.m. It's at the corner of California and Shasta streets.

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