A bike-sharing app that aims to provide students with efficient transportation while encouraging healthy habits, has been brought to the Marietta campus.
Zagster, the bicycle renting process starts once a station on campus is picked, showing the number of available bikes and spaces. From there, users can choose their bicycle to rent and unlock the bike lock through the app.
Upon completion of a ride, users can return the bicycle to any of the Zagster stations and use the app again to secure the lock on the bike.
Trips less than one hour are free, and any trip lasting more than an hour costs $3 per additional hour with a maximum rental price of $24 per ride.
“The parking and transportation team is excited to offer students a sustainable service like this bicycle-sharing system,” said Lee White, associate director of transportation for Kennesaw State. “We’re pleased with the Zagster app’s ease of use and affordability since there are no sign-up fees and the first hour of use each day is free.”
There are currently 35 cruiser bicycles across seven Zagster Bikeshare stations on the Marietta campus, including key activity points like the Joe Mack Wilson student center and the Stingers dining hall.
Zagster’s services are available year-round at all hours for KSU students and employees over the age of 18. A valid debit or credit card is required to rent and ride a cruiser bike.
“It is a great transportation option for students traveling between classes or the residence halls to services available on campus,” White said. “As of Feb. 16, we have had over 200 students sign up for Zagster, and over 700 trips have been taken since we activated the system on Feb. 9.”
According to Zagster’s website, each trip includes a bike, bell and in-app support. The front of the cruisers have baskets to help students transport class materials and personal belongings.
With features like Bluetooth electric ring locks, students can lock and unlock their bike at any time, all within the app. Zagster cruisers also feature adjustable seats, front and rear lights and guards for the chain and fender for safety and comfort.
Helmets are not included or offered at the Zagster stations but are suggested to be worn on every ride.
Zagster is free to download at the Apple app store and Google Play store.
In the future, the KSU department of parking and transportation plans to update and expand the program to the Kennesaw campus as additions and improvements are made to bike infrastructure on campus.
For more information about the program, visit the KSU department of parking and transportation website.
