Just like that, Wichita’s bike share program is gone

Just like that, Wichita’s brief time as a city with a ride share bike program is over.

Zagster, the Boston-based company the city of Wichita contracted with to provide bikes through stations around the city, informed bike users through a Monday e-mail that it’s ending the program.

“Sadly, the pandemic has also adversely impacted Zagster’s business, and we regret to inform you that we will be shutting down the bikeshare effective immediately.”

It sounds like the abrupt end caught some city leaders by surprise.

Mayor Brandon Whipple learned of the end of the program when called by The Eagle on Monday morning.

Monday afternoon, after meeting with City Manager Robert Layton, Whipple said he learned that some city administrators knew of Zagster’s departure a few days ago.

“They are searching for another provider,” Whipple said.

He said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas had been offsetting some of the costs of the program, and it is his understanding that the company hopes to continue doing so.

Bike usage had been suspended when COVID-19 hit Wichita.

Now, Zagster will dismantle its bike stations starting this week, which follows its third anniversary of being in Wichita.

Zagster media contact Greg Cameron didn’t return a call for comment.

An automatic e-mail reply from him said: “Many industries, especially micromobility have been hit hard by COVID-19. As a result, I am unable to answer any inquiry that you may have about any developments with Zagster service in your area.”

Last year, a different Zagster spokesman told The Eagle that the company has “done incredibly well” in Wichita.

“We’ve seen some of our highest usage in the country on a per capita basis,” the spokesman said.

Last summer, Zagster also partnered with Wichita to handle service for scooters as well. The scooters are provided by another company, and it’s not clear if scooter service will be affected with Zagster’s departure.

The Monday e-mail Zagster sent to users further said:

“Your elected officials, community leaders, and city have been at the forefront of the micromobility movement—helping people move in smarter, cleaner ways. We have no doubt that they will continue to be part of this movement, and keep you riding into the future.”

Look for more information as it becomes available.

This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 12:05 PM.