Henderson community launches bike-sharing program

The wheels are turning at the master-planned community of Cadence as it institutes a bicycle-sharing program, bringing Henderson residents together around cycling events.

“As far as I know, I don’t think any other community has something like this,” said Cheryl Persinger, Cadence’s vice president of marketing.

Two bike-share stations have been set up in the 2,200-acre residential area.

Anyone can check out the bicycles to ride around the community. With more businesses opening in the surrounding area, Persinger said she could foresee people using bikes to go to the store or any of the nearby businesses.

Persinger said the idea of a bike-share program came from Cadence CEO Mark Paris, an avid cyclist.

With more programming centered around bicycles — the city of Henderson and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada have created ride-share programs and bicycle events throughout the community — Paris thought it was fitting to add it to Cadence.

Persinger said a bike-share program has various benefits. “It encouraged people to exercise,” she said. “It is even good for the environment because people are using their bikes instead of cars.”

Michelle Hartman, Cadence’s lifestyle director, has set up movie nights and other community events. She said the bike-share program fits with existing programming that is designed to bring neighbors together.

Hartman added that the bike share, which is free, is open to everyone, even if they don’t live in Cadence. People just have to sign up online.

Cadence is offering times for people to come and learn how the program works. The next scheduled meetings are at 11 a.m. June 11, July 8, Aug. 13, Sept. 9 and Oct. 8 at 271 Inflection St.

“You don’t have to come to the meeting to use the program,” Hartman added.

People can register online, and reserve and check on bike availability through a mobile app. More than 200 people are signed up so far.

Once registered, people can check out their bikes and log how many miles they have gone.

There isn’t a set time limit, but Persinger said that after two hours, the facilitators will be alerted if the bike is still out.

“It doesn’t mean they have to return it,” she said. “It’s just so we know where the bike is.”

As the community grows, Hartman said Cadence will look into being part of any bicycle events the city offers along with giving people information about the various trail systems connected to the development.

Visit cadencenv.com.

To reach Henderson View reporter Michael Lyle, email mlyle@viewnews.com or call 702-387-5201. Find him on Twitter: @mjlyle.