Schnader Helps Philadelphia Bike Share Program IndeGo Hit the Street with Wheels Turning

Schnader attorneys were proud to play a role as outside counsel in the establishment of Philadelphia’s IndeGo bike share program, which offers 600 three-speed, self-service bikes and over 70 multi-bike stations for round-the-clock access to public transportation.

As of mid-June, more than 5,500 people had signed up for memberships and over 15,000 individual users had tried the system at least once. This program has been a huge success, with over 90,000 trips in its first six weeks.

IndeGo is a project of the City of Philadelphia, which owns the bicycles and stations, and is planned and managed by the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities. The City invested $3 million into the project. Subscribers of the IndeGo program pay $15 per month for the membership, which gives them unlimited access to the bike system. The bikes are also available on a per use basis.

Schnader attorneys Drew Kastner, Sekou Lewis, and Albert S. Dandridge III served as counsel to the City in the multimillion dollar naming rights and corporate sponsorship transaction with Independence Blue Cross for the IndeGo program. Schnader’s representation and counseling included drafting the sponsorship agreement and advising the City on the complexities of corporate sponsorship of nonprofit organizations, intellectual property (specifically trademarks), and other matters related to the implementation and operation of a bike share program.

The IndeGo program stands out as one of the few bike share initiatives to place social equity as a core value. Approximately 1/3 of the stations are placed in low-income communities. Indego also offers a convenient, cash payment option for those who do not have access to a bank account. At full strength, the IndeGo program is expected to feature 180 stations and 2,000 bikes. One of the significant expectations of the programs is a significant reduction in the city’s carbon footprint. 

The IndeGo program is expected to widen over the next several years as it moves into other areas of the city. At full strength, the IndeGo program is expected to feature 180 stations and 2,000 bikes.

The IndeGo program is operated by Bicycle Transit Systems. Bikes are provided by BCycle, LLC. For additional information about the IndeGo bike share program, please go to www.rideindego.com.