Getting around Alpharetta is easier, healthier and more fun than ever

North American Properties (NAP) and Zagster, a bike sharing program, today launched a new bike sharing station at Avalon, the vibrant, 86-acre mixed-use community in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Avalon’s new bike sharing station, which is located in its Central Deck, connects with three existing stations located along Alpharetta’s Big Creek Greenway at North Point, Rock Mill Park and the Alpharetta YMCA. The Big Creek Greenway bike sharing stations are the result of Alpharetta’s one-year contract with Zagster to implement and maintain a bike share program.

Starting today, cruiser bikes will be available at Avalon for guests to use for on-demand, local trips. All trips under three hours are free. There is a $3 cost for each additional hour. Biking enthusiasts can also purchase an annual pass for $20, cutting the cost to $2 for each additional hour.

“We constantly look for ways to bring unique experiences and connect with the Alpharetta community,” said Liz Gillespie, vice president of marketing at NAP. “Offering the community the opportunity to travel to, from and around Avalon via bike is just another way we to celebrate wellness, leisure and – of course – fun.”

Unlike other bike share programs in which riders must drop off bikes at designated stations for every stop, Zagster’s programs give users the freedom to ride as long as they want, wherever they want. Zagster will manage all aspects of the program from bikes and technology, to maintenance and marketing.

“Zagster minimizes the cost and complexity of running a bike share, which enables smaller communities to enjoy all the benefits of a traditionally big-city amenity,” said Timothy Ericson, CEO and co-founder of Zagster. “This program will improve Alpharetta’s mobility and connectivity.”

Using the new bike sharing station is easy. Bikes can be found via the free Zagster Mobile App — available for iPhone and Android — or online at zagster.com. Each bike has a unique number which riders enter into the app to obtain a single-use code to open the lockbox on the back of the bike. (Alternatively, riders can obtain unlock codes via text message.) A key, stored inside and tethered to the lockbox, allows the bike to be locked and unlocked throughout a ride. After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.

The bike-share program features the Zagster 8, an award-winning bike known for its practical design, comfortable ride and easy handling. The bike includes a spacious basket that’s perfect for carrying groceries, takeout or personal belongings. And because rider safety is a priority, every bike includes automatic lights, a bell and full reflectors.

About Zagster

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Zagster is the largest and fastest-growing bike share provider in the United States. Zagster works directly with over 130 communities across North America to make scalable bike-sharing programs available in areas where traditional bike share providers can't reach. The company’s goal: To make the bike the most loved form of transportation.

More information about Zagster and its programs can be found at? www.zagster.com.

About Avalon

Avalon is a new experience in the timeless art of living well. In the heart of Alpharetta, this sustainably designed, 86-acre development with more than 500,000 square feet of retail, a 12-screen all premium theater, planned conference center and full-service hotel, Class A office, single-family residences and luxury rental homes infuses resort-level hospitality throughout a walkable, seamlessly connected community of shopping, dining, entertainment, living and working. It’s more than just another place to go, it’s a place to be — a hub of local art and activity that delivers the luxury of the modern South. At 2.4 million square feet and more than $600 million, Avalon is one of the largest projects currently underway in the United States. You can find more updates on Avalon at its website, Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter profile.