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    BATA Launches 2015 Bike-n-Ride Program

    June 19, 2015
    Related To: Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)
    BATA
    BATA’s Route 10 offers service between Traverse City and Suttons Bay / Northport and follows TART’s Leelanau Trail, while Route 11 provides service from TC to Glen Arbor / Empire with stops along the ever-expanding Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
    BATA’s Route 10 offers service between Traverse City and Suttons Bay / Northport and follows TART’s Leelanau Trail, while Route 11 provides service from TC to Glen Arbor / Empire with stops along the ever-expanding Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

    The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) officially launches the third season of its successful Bike-n-Ride program on June 22. BATA’s Bike-n-Ride service allows cyclists to pedal trails one way and ride the bus back in both Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.

    Since Bike-n-Ride launched in 2013 it has transported more than 1,575 bikes and is one of only a handful of similar programs in the country. This year BATA has expanded its service to include more weekday availability and has extended service into the fall months due to increased popularity and demand.

    “We continue to be amazed by the interest and usage of our Bike-n-Ride program and how it provides another innovative transportation option for the communities we serve and visitors to Northwest Michigan,” said BATA Executive Director Tom Menzel. “Bike-n-Ride allows people to leave their cars at home, spend more time with family and friends and be environmentally conscious by helping reduce carbon emissions.”

    Riders have the opportunity to enjoy two great routes and trails. BATA’s Route 10 offers service between Traverse City and Suttons Bay / Northport and follows TART’s Leelanau Trail, while Route 11 provides service from TC to Glen Arbor / Empire with stops along the ever-expanding Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

    Regular fare is only $3 per person, bikes ride free and reduced fare is available for qualified riders. Fare can be paid on the bus with cash (debit/credit cards not accepted) or with a BATA FlashFare card that can be purchased at BATA’s transfer stations on Hall St. or Cass Road. Details on BATA’s fares can be found at the BAT website.

    One-way trips along the Leelanau Trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay are approximately 17 miles, and the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail runs for 9.5 miles between Glen Arbor and Empire. Specially equipped Bike-n-Ride buses can accommodate up to 11 bikes per trip and all other BATA Loop buses are equipped to transport up to three bikes at a time.Key partnerships continue to play a major role in Bike-n-Ride’s success. Those partners include local bike shops, TART Trails, Groundwork Center, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Villages of Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor, Northport and Empire.

    Bike-n-Ride is not an express service and the bus will make regular Loop stops along its route. This is a first-come, first-serve program, so arriving early for pick up is advised. More info at bata.net/bikenride.