Birmingham Bike Share System to Include 100 e-Bikes

Birmingham, AL will integrate e-bikes from Bewegen into its bike sharing program starting this fall.

Bewegen, which is based in Montreal, said it marks the first time a bike share system has done so in the Americas. The first Bewegen bikes will be available to the public in fall 2015. Riders will have access to a total of 400 bikes – of which 100 will be electrically assisted – across 40 docking stations.

Bewegen is supplying and installing the tailored program for REV Birmingham, operator of the system. Combining cutting-edge technology with innovative bicycles, the user-friendly, 24/7 accessible, bike-sharing system is designed to change the way people make short trips around Birmingham.

“We are very proud and excited to be working with the City of Birmingham, RPCGB and REV to offer the first electrically assisted bikes as part of a public bike-share system in the Americas. When launched, the Birmingham bike-sharing program will offer its citizens and visitors what we believe will be the best bike-share system in the world. Bewegen is committed to becoming an integral part of the Birmingham economy and community, this is why are customizing the stations to integrate seamlessly with the city's urban landscape, as well as  producing many station components using suppliers located in Birmingham.” said Alain Ayotte, Bewegen CEO.

Procycle, which launched the eVox bicycle picture above in 2012, has partnered with Bewegen to supply 100 e-bikes for a 400-bicyle fleet bike sharing service scheduled to come online this fall in Birmingham, AL.

The bikes are being built in collaboration with Bewegen's Saint-Georges-de-Beauce, QC, based partner Procycle, which producers the Rocky Mountain, Miele and eVox bicycles brands. The IT solution, provided by BikeEmotion, which includes technology allowing Bewegen's bikes to communicate and provide its location at all times, has been successfully field-tested in Portugal and has been running in several locations since 2010. The sleek design of the bikes, docks and kiosks is designed by Michel Dallaire, the world renowned, Montreal based, industrial designer.

The smart-bike allows users to complete the check-out process directly on the bike with contactless pass or via a mobile phone application thereby offering the features of a kiosk without the cost of one. Live GPS tracking allows the precise mapping of every route and to locate bikes at any time.

“This BikeShare system is another forward-thinking program we're implementing in our forward-thinking city,” said Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. “It will provide a fun transportation option for our citizens, and for visitors here on business and pleasure.”

“With our extensive experience manufacturing and operating bike-share systems combined with many years of R&D, we have developed the most cutting-edge system bar none” added Alain Ayotte about Bewegen's system.
The automated recharging docks are powered through the solar system which has been specifically designed to reduce physical and technological barriers faced by potential users and to encourage thousands of people who may not have otherwise considered cycling to use the bikes.

“We have always seen BikeShare as an economic development tool. It draws in new visitors, encourages workers and residents to explore the city and delivers customers to the doors of Birmingham businesses,” said David Fleming, CEO of REV Birmingham.