This news release is from REV Birmingham.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 1, 2015) REV Birmingham gave the public its first real life look at its Birmingham BikeShare bicycle and announced Regions, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and Alabama Power Foundation as official BikeShare sponsors on Friday, May 1st at 9 a.m. in the Regions Financial Corporation Plaza (1900 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.)

The press conference included a first look at the BikeShare bicycle with remarks from the funders and REV CEO David Fleming. Ongoing operations for the highly-anticipated system will be funded through corporate sponsors and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, which is funding the program’s startup operations.

“BikeShare is more than an alternative transportation option for citizens and visitors,” said Leroy Abrahams, Regions Bank North Central Alabama Area President. “It represents what we can accomplish when we work together. We’re proud to help bring this to the Magic City.”

“We believe in the resurgence of Birmingham,” said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations, Koko Mackin. “Happy and healthy residents and workers are a core component of the city’s new vibrancy. Birmingham BikeShare packages both convenience and healthier lifestyle options in a fun and forward-thinking way – a win-win for our city, visitors and beyond.”

“BikeShare has been proven to pack a strong economic development punch for cities who implement it,” said Bobbie Knight, Alabama Power Birmingham Division Vice President and Alabama Power Foundation Board Member. “Birmingham has taken the first step in choosing to adopt this dynamic system, and we’re proud to support it.”

Slated to launch in September 2015, Birmingham BikeShare will include 400 bikes and 40 docking kiosks deployed in the City Center. Riders will be able to check out bicycles for short rides through annual memberships or by swiping their credit cards. The BikeShare system, which is being purchased from Quebec-based Bewegen, will include 100 electric pedal assist bikes, giving riders a boost along Birmingham’s often challenging terrain.

"This is going to be the most innovative system in the Western Hemisphere, so it's only natural we're bringing it to Birmingham, a city on the move forward," said Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. "This is a true public-private partnership that will benefit our citizens and our visitors."

Sidewalk decals have been deployed within the footprint of the planned system to gather feedback from potential users, who can text their thoughts on some of the potential locations.

“We have always seen BikeShare as an economic development tool. It draws in new visitors, encourages workers and residents to explore the city and delivers customers to the doors of Birmingham businesses,” said REV CEO David Fleming.

REV Birmingham (REV) revitalizes places and energizes business to create vibrancy in the City of Birmingham. REV is an economic development organization that stimulates business growth and improves quality of life in Birmingham’s City Center and its Neighborhood Commercial Centers. REV is a private-public partnership that was formed in 2012 by the strategic merger of Operation New Birmingham and Main Street Birmingham. For more information visit www.revbirmingham.org.

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