The Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP) is an effort led by the City of Philadelphia that works to ensure that Indego bike share is accessible to all Philadelphians. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a non­profit advocacy and education organization working as part of the Better Bike Share Partnership to support bike share and biking education. The Better Bike Share Partnership is funded by the JPB Foundation.

The weather this season has been a bit unpredictable but that did stop our ambassadors from planning rides and making folks feel at home on an Indego bike. Indego is excited to give you an update on our ambassador team and what they’ve been up to. Here is a highlight on two rides with the Indgeo city ambassadors.

Ready, Set, Go With Cancer Who?

On May 25th, riders took to Indego to support the incredible work that founders, Al and Marjani Harris are doing with their organization Cancer Who? This ride kicked off the Cancer Who? Weekend, in which they hosted a number of events, starting with a comedy show on Friday, a kickball tournament on Saturday, and ending with an award ceremony on Sunday.

The ride started at the Indego station in front of the Mantua Haverford Recreation Center, located at 39^th and Mount Vernon. The community center was able to offer riders a place to cool off and stay hydrated. With a diverse turnout, rider participation ranged from young to old and residents from all over Philly. There was even a special appearance from Mantua resident, and One-Millionth Indego rider, Calvin Linton! He was thrilled to see Indego back in his neighborhood and getting people riding for a cause. The riders were joined by the Better Bike Share Partnership team and the 16^th Police Precinct as they toured the neighborhood to spread the word that if you need support, Cancer Who? is there.

Love Your Park Day

We should love our park every day, but Philadelphia dedicates a week to help people remember that we have some of the best green spaces in the world. The Strawberry Mansion CDC, along with East Fairmount Park Coalition, and the Better Bike Share Partnership team showed their love with a ride through Fairmount Park. The ride started at the Indego station at 33rd and Reservoir and looped around the Edgley ball fields and Reservoir Drive.

The participants were a nice mix of young, middle-aged, and older Philadelphians enjoying the park together by bike. Justina Barrett, who is the Site Manager for Historic Houses throughout the park, as well as Divold Gayle from the Strawberry Mansion CDC guided the ride. They pointed out highlights such as Strawberry Mansion High’s urban garden, the Laurel Hill Mansion, Smith Playground, and the new Discovery Center.

By the end of the evening, riders had seen that Strawberry Mansion and East Fairmount Park are full of hidden gems. Whether it’s Boxer’s Trail, historic mansions, or even the picturesque Strawberry Mansion bridge, the greenery isn’t just contained in the park. The beauty of the community also spills out into the neighborhood through a number of local urban gardens like the one cultivated by the Strawberry Mansion High School and the Strawberry Mansion CDC.