The fresh concrete being poured at various points around Carrollton is part of the foundation of a healthier future for the region.
The work is part of a collaborative effort to make the city even more bike-friendly with the launch of a new and far-reaching bike-share program on the Carrollton GreenBelt. Some of the region’s largest organizations — including Tanner Health System, Southwire, the University of West Georgia (UWG) and the city of Carrollton — joined the Friends of Carrollton GreenBelt to bring the national bike-sharing company Zagster to west Georgia. Crews have already begun pouring concrete pads for racks to accommodate the bikes and a special ribbon cutting ceremony is planned later this fall.
The bike-share program will make cruiser bikes available for rent at several stations around the city, encouraging more people to use pedal power to become more physically active.
“The city of Carrollton is proud to partner with Tanner Health System, Southwire and the University of West Georgia in providing a community-wide bike-share program,” said Erica Studdard, the city’s community development director. “These entities are committed to adding value to the quality of life of our residents, and we are fortunate to be part of a community that continues to collaborate with public and private partners. Much like the Carrollton GreenBelt, these grassroots efforts make Carrollton a unique and special place to call home.”
Each bike-share station is sponsored by one of the partnering organizations.
Tanner Health System and Get Healthy, Live Well are sponsoring half of the 10 stations being installed around town. The health system has maintained a longstanding commitment to advance the community’s health — including encouraging residents to become more physically active. Get Healthy, Live Well sees the bike-share program as a way to help increase physical activity while providing a fun way for people to get around town, incorporating the “go for 30” minutes of exercise a day into their daily routines.
Tanner’s stations will be located at several Carrollton GreenBelt trailheads, including Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton, Hays Mill Park, Lakeshore Park, Courthouse Park and Hobbs Farm Park.
Southwire is sponsoring three stations. One will be located on the company’s campus. The other trailheads will be located at Target and Old Newnan Road.
The bike-share program for Carrollton was inspired by ideas presented by students in the Southwire Sustainable Business Honors Program (SSBHP), which prepares students to lead thriving businesses focused on the next generation. The SSBHP is a partnership between UWG’s Richards College of Business and Southwire, which enables students to receive both bachelor’s and master’s (MBA) degrees in four years. In addition to their coursework, students also participate in Southwire-sponsored events and assignments that follow Southwire’s five tenets of sustainability. The bike-share program is part of Southwire’s efforts to further the well-being of Southwire employees and their families through the company’s sustainability tenet of Living Well.
The University of West Georgia is sponsoring two — one across from the Murphy Building on West Georgia Drive near the GreenBelt and the other at the campus’ west entrance on Maple Street. In addition, UWG has created bike lanes along its main roads and is installing new bike racks across campus. The goal is to encourage students, faculty and staff to leave their cars parked and choose biking as a healthier, greener option.
Since the company was established in 2007 in Cambridge, Mass., Zagster’s goal has been to “make the bike the most loved form of transportation.” Zagster is one of the largest and fastest-growing bike share providers in the nation, working directly with more than 130 communities, including Alpharetta, Macon and the Town Center community in Kennesaw. For more information, visit www.zagster.com.
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