Camden County prepares to launch bike-sharing program

The lack of a car may not be such a big deal soon for some New Jersey residents. This spring, Camden County is launching a countywide bike-sharing program.

Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash said the Camden County BikeShare program will loan repurposed bicycles to county residents for a nominal membership fee.

“It’s a new program that we’re going to launch in two or three weeks in coordination with several municipalities, including the city of Camden,” Nash said. “We’ve received over 200 bikes that have been donated to the program.”

Nash said riders will be able to use the bikes for recreation and transportation.

“It’s a great way to build community within the county and to get us healthy and using our bodies — and to also have it be that not everybody has to own a bicycle,” says Lori Braunstein, the founder of Sustainable Cherry Hill, a nonprofit group providing volunteers to the effort.

“It allows people to be able to benefit from using a bicycle even if they don’t have the money or the place to store the bicycle,” she says.

Volunteers are still needed to repair the bikes and to staff the Bike Share distribution points. Nash says the program also needs bicycles — both in working order or for use as parts.

If you are interested in volunteering your time to the Camden County Bike Share program, or have a bicycle to donate, contact the Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs at (856) 858-5241 or email ccbikeshare@camdencounty.com.