Bike Share proposed for Luverne; state grant to help with costs

Plans are underway to develop a bike share program in Luverne that would allow people to “borrow” and return bicycles around town.
The Luverne Chamber Office last summer requested state funding to purchase bikes for a loan program, but it didn’t qualify.
But last month the Statewide Health Improvement Program offered Luverne $3,000 for bikes — if they could be purchased and invoiced prior to Nov. 1.
“So for the last month we have been scrambling to put together a simple program that would offer these bikes for loan to residents and visitors,” said Luverne Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
“We wanted to set up a program that made the bikes available 24/7 without cost to the resident or visitor.”
The Chamber and Luverne Economic Development Authority have stated a goal to purchase eight adult and four child bikes.
“The bikes we would purchase are designed specifically for bike-share programs,” Lanphere said. “They are extremely durable and easy to ride.”
The chamber is working with Ken Petersen of Ken’s Bike Shop in Luverne to order and maintain the bikes.
Maintenance and operation of the program would be a local responsibility, according to the terms of the grant.
Bikes need to be inspected at least two times a year and funding would need to be available for bike chains ($20 each), replacement of tire and tubes ($40 each) and other repair items.
In her September Chamber Chatter, Lanphere called this a “wonderful opportunity” for Luverne businesses or organizations to “give back” by being a sponsor of a bike.
Specifically, 12 sponsors need to pledge $150 annually to support the effort. The money will be put in a special Bike Program Account for the maintenance of the bikes.
Each sponsor will be recognized with a name and logo on the bike basket (for the adult bikes) or a vinyl graphic logo on the youth bikes.
Sponsorship fees will be assessed annually in January and February.
The bike share program will be in place from early spring through mid October starting next spring.
 “What a great way to advertise and to support healthy living,” Lanphere said.
Interested sponsors can contact the Chamber at 507-283-4061.