Hobart’s Run joined the Bike Pottstown family this week, adding its office at 856 East High Street to the list of locations at which Pottstown residents can borrow free bikes.

Accomplishing a Long-Term Goal

Since its official launch in 2016, Hobart’s Run has looked for ways to facilitate bike access and safety in the borough, from organizing community bike rides in 2016 to launching the pilot Mobile Ambassador Program (MAP) with Sheila Dugan of the former Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) organization in 2017.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bike Pottstown and Schuylkill River Greenways (SRG) to be a bikes-share access point for the neighborhood and the east end of town,” Twila Fisher, executive director, stated enthusiastically.

With the addition of Hobart’s Run, the bike share now has three access points in the borough.

“Connecting communities to the Schuylkill River Trail and the Schuylkill River is our mission,” said Elaine Schaefer, Executive Director of SRG. “This added location will be yet another resource for the Pottstown community to make that connection.” 

Residents may be surprised to see the new, bright blue bikes on the streets of town.

Sleek Rides

“These aren’t old yellow bikes,” Tim Fenchel, SRG Deputy Director said. “Our new bikes are seven-speed, unisex, step-through Fuji bikes, making them extremely accessible for all types of riders.”

Many of the people who borrow bikes use them on the Schuylkill River Trail.

Details on Obtaining a Bike

Bikes generally can be checked out at the Hobart’s Run location Mon.–Fri. from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. These hours may be extended over the summer based on interest from the community in this location.

When the Hobart’s Run bike share is operating and a bike is available, the staff will place a bike in front of its office.

Interested riders may simply knock on the Hobart’s Run office door to sign out a bike. Riders must be age 16 and up, with a photo ID to check out a bike; helmets and locks are also available. 

SRG and its recreation partner, Take It Outdoors Adventures, are the current stewards of the Bike Pottstown program. In addition to the new Hobart’s Run location, bikes are available at the SRG office in Riverfront Park (140 College Drive), weather permitting, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM weekdays. 

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, bikes can also be found at the Take It Outdoors HQ. They’ll be stocked in the shipping containers painted with colorful murals, near the entrance of the Schuylkill River Trail, also in Riverfront Park, Pottstown.

Funding the Program

Bike Pottstown was founded in 2008, through a collaboration of two local nonprofits:

• Preservation Pottstown (now Mosaic CLT)
• Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation

Thanks to start-up funding from Exelon (now Constellation Energy) and the Pottstown Police Officers Association, the cheery and distinctive yellow bikes were soon spotted all over town.

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A video look at the Schuylkill River Trail in Pottstown.