City Of Muskogee, Muskogee Wellness Initiative Launch New Bike-Share Program

The City of Muskogee and the Muskogee Wellness Initiative are working to encourage healthier lifestyles, so they've launched a new bike share program. The MuskogeE-Bike program operates similarly to the bike share programs and electric scooter systems in Tulsa.

All riders have to do is scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it for a $1 fee and then pay $0.15 per minute as they ride.

The Muskogee Wellness Committee started the program thanks to funding from Saint Francis Hospital of Muskogee. It was a way for the hospital and the city to show that they are serious about health initiatives in Muskogee, and it's a fun way for people to explore the city.

"We are really wanting to get people out on the trail systems, get moving around downtown, whether that’s walking or whether it’s biking. This is just another option or opportunity for them to get out and really see what we have to offer in Muskogee," Kevin Anthis, Muskogee's Fitness and Aquatic Facility Manager said.

Currently, the city only has one bike hub by the Depot Green in Downtown Muskogee. However, depending on community interest, the city could install other bike hubs around the city.

"We want to make sure that this system is self-sustaining, and we want it to continue and hopefully be successful. At the point in time that it is successful, we might, down the road, look at adding more hubs, but just starting out with the system, it kind of makes sense to keep things centralized instead of running all over to pick them up," Anthis said.

One difference to other bike share programs is that there is only one pickup and drop-off location for the bikes. This means that riders have to drop off and lock up the bike back at the Depot Green hub once they finish riding. The city also said that these bikes are designed for adults 18 and older.