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Huntington sets up bike-share for town workers

BY DEBORAH S. MORRIS | deborah.morris@newsday.com

8:16 AM EDT, March 25, 2008

Town of Huntington officials will use the two-wheeled approach to get their employees to exercise this spring.

At Tuesday's board meeting officials implemented a bike sharing program for its employees to utilize during their lunch break. Officials believe the program will promote exercise, ease traffic in the village and encourage green transportation.

"It is my hope that town of Huntington employees will take advantage of this bicycle sharing program," said board member Mark Cuthbertson, who came up with the idea after reading about similar programs across the world.

At the meeting the board accepted the donation of two bicycles from the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and JVKellyGroup, Inc. to jump start the program.

The bike share program will provide two bicycles, each equipped with fenders, chain guards and rear luggage racks. Employees who wish to participate in the program must take a bicycle safety course, sign waiver forms, agree to wear a helmet at all times and lock the bicycle after each use.

"With the skyrocketing price of gas, employees can leave their cars behind and get some exercise while using an alternative, eco-friendly mode of transportation," Cuthbertson said.

The program kicks off in May, National Bike Month.