Austin Monitor editor Elizabeth Pagano reported in the site's "Whispers" section yesterday that Austin B-Cycle, the city-sponsored bike-rental program, will waive its usual access fee for 24-hour rental on May 11. Mayor Steve Adler has declared the date "Austin, Don't Rush Day."
Adler's initiative encourages residents to leave their cars at home that day and either work from home or use an alternative form of transportation to get to their jobs. Inspired by the relative success of a similar decree in March, on the day President Barack Obama was in town (and SXSW Interactive 2016 opened), the mayor is hoping residents will see the transportation light in the form of less traffic and an absence of gridlock.
According to the Monitor, on May 11 residents can enter promo code 051116 at any Austin B-cycle station and have 24 hours of system access at no charge. The usual fee for its 24-hour "Walkup" access is $8, Pagano added.
In addition, she reports, Austin B-cycle Executive Director Elliott McFadden said that everyone who rides Austin B-cycle with the code on May 11 will get an additional month of Austin B-cycle use at no charge.
According to Pagano, a press release instructs those who want to receive the free Local30 membership to opt in for text messaging on their Walkup passes, and a promo code will be texted to them within 24 hours.
Capital Metro transportation will also be free that day.
• B-cycle joins in on “Don’t Rush Day” [Austin Monitor]
Austin Mayor Adler Wants Us All to Leave Our Cars at Home on May 11 [Curbed Austin]