Bike shares have been proliferating across the tri-state region of late, and it looks like Camden County, New Jersey will be next. The county has collected more than 200 used bicycles and is set to begin a bike share program later this spring. To move the project forward, Camden County’s Freeholders are in the process of identifying bike share distribution locations, and they are coordinating their efforts with suburban municipalities and the City of Camden. Freeholder Jeffrey Nash explains that the county is looking for volunteers to help refurbish the bicycles and, in the future, help staff local bike share distribution points. The county is also seeking additional bicycle donations for the program.

While bike shares that extend beyond a core city or community are rare, Camden County has many of the ingredients necessary to make such a system successful. Both the City of Camden and many surrounding suburban municipalities have PATCO and NJ Transit stations, and if bike share distribution locations are placed strategically, they could help area residents reach destinations that lie just beyond walking distance of these hubs. Additionally, many older communities in the county, such as Haddonfield, Gloucester City, and the City of Camden are home to densely-developed business districts and major roadway corridors, such as Haddon Avenue. Bike shares can help connect such places to one another and other regional destinations, like parks, trails, and job centers.

Bike shares can also help those without access to a car (and those that don’t wish to drive) to get to work, do errands, and access recreational areas. As Camden County’s new program gets underway and the local network of trails and bike lanes continues to grow, there is great potential to link people and neighborhoods in an environmentally friendly way.

To volunteer with the Camden County Bike Share program, or to donate a bicycle, contact the Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs at (856) 858-5231 or email ccbikeshare@camdencounty.com