Salem to Offer Year-Round Cycling Options
The City of Salem’s Zagster Bike Share and pilot e-scooter program will offer residents and visitors year-round micro-mobility options, with winter operations beginning in December. The system will remain in operation through winter and into the spring, with 35 bikes docked at seven stations and 50 e-scooters. The seven stations are the busiest in the system and are located in downtown Salem and on the Salem State campus (see map). During winter operations, riders will be required to end rides at one of the seven stations, and e-scooters will not be available in high winds or below-freezing temperatures. Riders are encouraged to wear reflective material at night to ensure optimal visibility.
“The City of Salem is very pleased to offer residents and visitors additional mobility options year-round,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Our micro-mobility partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Salem State University, and Zagster helps us address traffic and congestion issues. It also provides more options to people to get around Salem. This winter operations plan and our recently completed downtown bike upgrades provide year-round access to and through downtown and to get to and from Salem’s commuter rail station. We’re also excited to offer free bike share rides during the holiday shopping season, as well as half-off annual bike share memberships to new riders. Salem is committed to a multi-modal future and these measures are an important step toward that goal.”
Winter Operations Bike Share Stations
- Federal Street and Washington Street
- Front Street and Washington Street
- Mayor Salvo Multi-Use Path at Mill Street
- Congress Street at Peabody Street
- Salem State North Campus (Ellison)
- Salem State Central Campus (bike path)
- Salem State South Campus (Bates)
“We couldn’t be more excited for the winter expansion of the bike share program in the city of Salem,” said Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We hope the extended programming will give people an opportunity to explore biking as an active, healthy and sustainable means of transportation year-round.”
“I think that extending the program into the winter is going to take the pressure off of commuter students who live in Salem, “said Xander Viera, a Salem State University Junior. “From living on campus my first two years, and now commuting from an apartment, Zagsters have been absolute life-savers when it comes to my daily commute.”
“I am thrilled that Zagster bikers will now be able to enjoy an inexpensive, healthy, and environmentally-friendly commute all year round,” said Tara Gallagher, Sustainability and EH&S Coordinator at Salem State University.
“Zagster has been working hard to cater our operations to the needs of the communities we serve,” said Zagster Senior Market Manager Karl Alexander. “By enabling bike share and e-scooter ridership this winter at reliable, designated locations, we can help show the Salem community that micro-mobility is a convenient way to travel all year round"
To kickstart this winter bike season, the City is offering free and discounted bike share to residents and visitors for a limited time. Beginning on Thanksgiving and lasting through Christmas, the price of the first year of an annual Zagster membership will be 50% off for new subscribers. Riders that choose the pay as you go option can receive $4.00 of ride credit, good for 2 hours of free riding, with the promo code RIDE4FREE. These promos will let residents and visitors enjoy all Salem has to offer around the holidays and keep our successful program rolling smoothly into winter operations.