MOGO is Here: Bike Rentals in Ferndale, Royal Oak, Oak Park, Berkley, and Huntington Woods
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 4, 2020)
MoGo, Metro Detroit’s nonprofit bike share system, launched expansion of its service in northwest Detroit and southern Oakland County, adding 31 stations and 140 bikes to the Livernois and McNichols corridors in Detroit as well as the cities of Ferndale, Royal Oak, Oak Park, Berkley, and Huntington Woods. With this expansion, MoGo now operates a total of 75 stations and 620 bikes in southeast Michigan.
“We are thrilled to finally offer bike share to additional neighborhoods in the region,” said Lisa Nuszkowski, founder and executive director of MoGo. “The partnerships formed between these communities and MoGo demonstrates the potential we have to work together to solve the many transportation and mobility challenges facing our region.”
The nonprofit program has run in Detroit since May 2017, with support from Henry Ford Health System and Health Alliance Plan (HAP). “MoGo’s mission aligns with things we care deeply about: community, healthy lifestyles, alternative forms of transportation, and encouraging people to get out and enjoy the places they live,” said Meagan Dunn, director of community outreach and partnerships for Henry Ford Health System. “We are especially excited that in addition to expanding into other cities, MoGo bikes will be more affordable, accessible and a contributor to building more vibrant, healthy communities.”
A system map lists the locations.
“Ferndale wanted to be a part of Mogo because they offer a healthy and low-cost option to get around our community and connect us to our neighboring communities, said Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana.  “I’m pleased we have another easy option to get across 8 Mile at Livernois connecting us to one of Detroit’s iconic neighborhoods to our downtown, to Oak Park, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington woods and Royal Oak. It’s a wonderful example of a regional approach to implementing another transit option to get around in our community. I have been a MoGo member for three years and can’t wait to use it here when I need it.”
She and others on council have worked towards “complete streets” for years, with efforts being discussed and shared on the www.ferndalemoves.com website that was launched to support all types of transportation.
“Our residents love Ferndale’s walkability and our growing network of safer streets. A separate lane designed to protect parents riding their bikes with their kids, or our young resident’s skateboarding to the new skatepark, or our active folks rollerblading, this lane called a “bike lane” is being used for all non-vehicle traffic. It’s another safety barrier to protecting us humans from fast-moving cars.
“These street improvements were supported by our residents when we developed a non-motorized plan at Ferndale Moves five years ago.  It’s time to update the plan this year with resident and business engagement. I encourage our residents to engage in this process when (safe distancing) citizen engagement starts this summer.
Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan is another rider.  “Oak Park is making the city more appealing to folks on bikes, and people walking dogs, pushing babies or jogging. One of the many things we have done is the Nine MIle project where we added bike lanes, mini-parks, a station to fix a bike, put air in a tire, have a snack or just relax. We have our group of active bike riders organized by Aaron Tobin coming together on Tuesday night safely getting fresh air and exercise. MOGO just seemed to fit right into that objective of active people coming together and not letting city boundaries get in the way. I plan to join monthly for $20 and get unlimited hour-long rides,” she said.
Leadership in Huntington Woods is also happy to welcome MoGo.  They were among cities in a multi-community grant to identify bike routes and put up signage for those routes.
“Huntington Woods wanted to be part of MOGO because we recognized the value in regional connectivity,” said Huntington Woods Mayor Bob Paul.  “This will help our residents connect with our neighboring communities and the City of Detroit as well as promoting exercise. ”
In addition to expanding its service, MoGo also announced changes to its passes and pricing, making bike share easier and more convenient. Using feedback from riders as well as best practices from other cities, MoGo now offers the following pass options:
Pay as You Go: Pay $1 to unlock a bike, plus $.25 per minute to ride
Prepaid: Purchase 2 hours of ride time for $18
Monthly Pass: Pay $20 per month, and receive an unlimited number of 60-minute trips
Annual Pass: Pay $90 per year, and receive an unlimited number of 60-minute trips
Access Pass: Pay $5 per year, and receive an unlimited number of 60-minute trips (for people who receive state assistance)
Riders are encouraged to purchase passes through MoGo’s website or the Transit app. All bikes must be checked out from and returned to any one of MoGo’s 75 stations.
To help keep riders safe, MoGo and its operating partner, Shift Transit, have added enhanced cleaning procedures to its routine bike and station checks. Handlebars and seats are thoroughly cleaned, as well as docking points, kiosk screens, credit card slots, and receipt dispensers. MoGo’s team regularly cleans its vans, and any bikes that are in the warehouse for maintenance are thoroughly cleaned before returning to the field. MoGo strongly encourages its riders to wear protective gear such as gloves and masks as appropriate, ride solo or with at least six feet distance between others, and to thoroughly wash their hands after riding.
Learn more about this service at mogodetroit.org.