Georgia Tech’s bike-share program launches

• George Weidman
• ViaCycle’s big beefy bikes are built for comfort, with low-riding frames and wide saddles

Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson yesterday recalled the time several young people visited his office to pitch him on a bike-share program at the prestigious university.

“A team of about five people and a bicycle showed up in my office,” said Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson. “They talked about this idea they had: to create a company that would change the way we think about bike sharing.”

That company — which includes several former Tech students — became ViaCycle, which on Tuesday officially kicked off its new high-tech bike-share program that will allow Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff to purchase short-term bike rentals by using their cell phones. It’s the latest in a long list of improvements Atlanta’s making to serve cyclists

Councilmembers Keisha Lance Bottoms and (the always-bicycling) Aaron Watson were there to congratulate the viaCycle team and pitch their vision of a more connected and carless Atlanta transportation network.