Pronto Cycle Share announces membership sales, launch date

SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pronto Cycle Share announced today that online sales for memberships to Seattle's upcoming bike share program are available to the public via Pronto's new customer-facing website. The program's official system launch is currently set for Oct. 13, with plans to announce additional launch details as it nears.

"We are excited to hit this milestone, which takes us one step closer to bringing bike share to the Puget Sound region," said Pronto Cycle Share Executive Director Holly Houser. "With annual memberships on sale and the official launch date in sight, community members can really begin planning how they'll make bike share part of their transportation plans."

Starting today, users can purchase an annual membership for as little as $85 per year at www.prontocycleshare.com.  With the membership, users will receive a computerized key fob to access a bike at one of Seattle's 50 stations. Members can take an unlimited number of rides up to 30 minutes for free, and incur nominal fees for longer trips.

The first 600 people to purchase an annual membership will receive a limited-edition blue Pronto key and "Founding Member" T-shirt.

Beyond annual memberships, users will be able to purchase one-day and three-day memberships for $8 and $16 respectively directly from stations with a credit or debit card, when the system launches.

"This is a great moment for our city," said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, who today became Pronto's first official annual member. "Bike share will bring expanded choices to employers, commuters, visitors and residents. With this new option, made possible by our generous community sponsors, Seattle is strengthening our transportation infrastructure."

When Pronto launches, it will link the University District, Eastlake, South Lake Union, Belltown, Downtown, Pioneer Square, the International District, Capitol Hill and First Hill with an initial 500 bikes and 50 docking stations.

It will also provide helmet rentals, dispensed from vending machines at each station for $2 per use for daily users and $1.50 per use for annual members. Riders can use the helmet for the duration of their rental, and then return it to the vending machine at a docking station, where it will be picked up, inspected and cleaned before returning to circulation.

For the latest news on Pronto Cycle Share, visit www.prontocycleshare.com, follow on Twitter at @CyclePronto and like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProntoCycleShare.

About Pronto Cycle Share
Pronto Cycle Share is Seattle's bike share program launching in the fall of 2014. Through bike share, Pronto seeks to connect the community to expanded transportation choices, making it easier for residents and visitors to use a flexible combination of bikes, buses, taxis, street cars, vehicles and walking to move around the city. Pronto is owned by Seattle-based non-profit Pronto Cycle Share, and is operated by Alta Bike Share. To learn more, visit www.prontocycleshare.com.  

CONTACTS:
Holly Houser
Pronto Cycle Share
206.607.8816
[email protected]                   

Kristi Herriott
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected] 

SOURCE Pronto Cycle Share