A bicycle rental program that ended last spring in Wichita will continue under a different company.

The city council has approved an agreement with Tandem Mobility to take over the Bike Share ICT program.   Wichita Transit director Mike Tann said the company has purchased equipment and assets to restart the program in early December with 200 bicycles.  He said the company will provide the bicycles, bike stations, signage and maintenance along with a website and mobile app for the program.

The program was launched by the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita and the YMCA, and a company called Zagster began providing bike rentals in 2017, with 8,000 trips that year, growing to almost 23,000 trips in 2019.   Because of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Zagster declared bankruptcy and ended operations.

Tann said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas will continue to support the program, providing $360,000 for operations.   Council member Becky Tuttle said the program helps people to be more active and it also provides a transportation alternative.