Becky Tuttle, (then) project manager of Health ICT, envisioned an opportunity for Wichitans to have a healthier means of transportation and to attract and retain young Wichita talent. Tuttle authored grant applications to fund a bike share system in Wichita.
The Knight Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation generously provided seed money for Bike Share ICT to launch a pilot project. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, through their amazing financial support, provided the funding to launch the Bike Share ICT system.
Launch party: May 4th, 2017
In May (2017), Bike Share ICT launched with 100 bikes and 19 stations that could be found in the Downtown/Delano area. The system was completely privately funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and the Knight Fund at the Wichita Foundation.
Bike Share ICT celebrated its 1st Birthday and Bike Month ICT on May 18th, 2018
After a year of this program being established, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas generously renewed their contract which fully funded Bike Share ICT for 2018 and expanded the system. During this time, the LUX sponsored an additional Bike Share ICT station and bicycles; and began providing memberships to all of their residents.
In October of 2018, the 2nd phase of Bike Share ICT began. The program started offering twice as many bikes (200+), and 45 bike stations were available around the city–including on Wichita State University’s campus.
Bike Share ICT celebrated its 2nd Birthday and Bike Month ICT on May 14th, 2019
In January of 2019, the City of Wichita became responsible for the management of the Bike Share ICT program; allowing for integration with transit and other transportation decisions. The City loves bike share and uses it in their transportation plans, Bike Share ICT will always be a community effort.
*Keep in mind, the main source of funding is still coming from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
Did you know? You can use Bike Share ICT with the City bus system by racking the bike to the front of the bus!
Now, you can use the bike-sharing system as far west as the Sedgwick County Park, all the way to the northeast side of town to Wichita State University’s campus and all throughout the city. There is no limit on travel distance.
Interested in learning how your company can be a part of this grassroots initiative?
The service provider for Bike Share ICT changed from Zagster to Tandem Mobility with upgraded bikes and an improved app provided by Movatic.
In May 2021, we celebrated Bike Share ICT birthday again, with the new bikes by Tandem Mobility with the app Movatic.
Bike Share ICT celebrated its 4th Birthday and Bike Month ICT on May 21th, 2021
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas–the state’s largest health insurer–has provided funding for bikes and marketing support since the beginning, and will continue to do so in 2020 to offer healthy modes of commuting to Wichita Since Bike Share ICT is a purely sponsored system, we need donations, sponsorships, and community support to maintain this effort.
Your company can be a part of the movement that is providing accessibility and investing in the growth of Wichita. Several companies have already banded together to support this effort. Join us in the team effort to sponsor bike share stations! Contact info@bikeshareict.com.