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Philadelphia Rolling Out Corporate Sponsor For New Bike Share Program

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The city of Philadelphia is rolling out its corporate sponsor for its new bike share program.

This spring, you'll see the "Indego" logos at all of its locations.

Independence Blue Cross is the title sponsor, contributing $1.7-million each year for the next five years to support the operations of Indego, the bike share system.

Chief of Staff Andrew Stober of the Mayor's office of Transportation and Utilities says riding a bike in this upcoming network will be convenient, easy to use and affordable. He says the initial set up will include 600 bicycles and 60 docking stations from the city's core and beyond.

"They stretch all the way from the Navy Yard through South Philadelphia," Stober says, "up to North Philadelphia and out to West Philadelphia."

Next month, they'll announce pricing, but it will include a component unlike any other big city; riders will be able to use cash as an option. This one also will allow riders to use credit or member cards.

Bike Share founder Russell Meddin, a community leader in the Logan Square section, was a one-man band for many years, dating back to 2008, singing the praises of Bike Share after sampling it in Europe.

"The closer the stations are to each other," Meddin says, "the easier it is for people just to grab a bike."

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