Mercer County Debuts Bike Share at County Parks

Zagster bikes for rent at Rosedale Park in Mercer Meadows.

The County of Mercer, the Mercer County Park Commission and Zagster have launched a bike-share program now available to the public in the County Parks system. Bikes are located at Mercer County Park and at Rosedale Park and the Red Barn in Mercer Meadows.

Ten bikes are at each location and can be rented by downloading the Zagster app.

“One of my goals is to make Mercer County more bike-friendly, whether it is on our county roadways or in our parks,” said County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “The bike share provides our park users with a recreational activity that promotes both fun and fitness.”

Park patrons are encouraged to create a Zagster account, where users can rent a bike from one the County’s three locations: Mercer County Park near the 9/11 Memorial, and Mercer Meadows at Rosedale Park on Federal City Road and at the Red Barn at Keefe and Cold Soil roads. Users can pay $1 per 30 minutes or sign up for a $20 annual membership that includes two free hours per trip, then $1 per 30 minutes thereafter. Rentals are available up to eight hours. There is a $30 late fee for rides lasting more than 24 hours. Users must be 18 years or older to rent a bike and rentals must be returned to one of the three county park locations.

Cutting a ceremonial ribbon at Rosedale Park on June 26 to kick off the bike-share program are, from left, Joe Pizza, Park Commission Deputy Director; Jay Watson, Lawrence Hopewell Trail board member; Aaron T. Watson, Park Commission Executive Director; Freeholder Andrew Koontz; LHT Co-President Becky Taylor; County Executive Brian M. Hughes; and Courtney Peters-Manning, LHT board member.

“I would like to thank the County Executive, Mercer County Planning Department and Central Maintenance Department for making this amenity available to residents of Mercer County and beyond,” said Aaron T. Watson, Park Commission Executive Director. “Zagster opens the opportunity for families and friends to explore more in our parks system and throughout the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.”

Zagster is located at universities and in cities and communities across the country and brings an affordable activity to users. For technical support regarding rentals and accessibility to bikes, call (202) 999-3924.

The Mercer County Park Commission has diverse recreational activities and natural resources for all ages to enjoy with more than 10,000 acres of parks, facilities and preserved open space. For up-to-date information on programming, recreation, and events, please visit www.mercercountyparks.org or follow the parks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Irving Lawrence Duckwald III is a freelance writer and blogger based in Central New Jersey. He has a penchant for fried chicken, fast cars, and fancy suits. With a knack for "setting the record straight", he can argue till the cows come home why it's Pork Roll and not Taylor Ham.