The Village of Ossining has been awarded $7 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to fund an e-bike sharing program here and in surrounding river communities
Project MOVER, Ossining’s submission to a statewide competition aimed at bringing “clean transportation infrastructure” to underserved communities, was the Mid-Hudson region’s grand prize winner.
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado made the announcement at a Nov. 16 ceremony held at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in Queens, following a showcase where finalists presented their technology and service solutions.
Project MOVER (an acronym for Moving Onto Vast E-Micromobility Replication) aims to bring pedal-assist e-bike rentals and place bike-lending facilities near multi-family homes and workplaces.
The project, a consortium led by EIT InnoEnergy, will use the grant to offer the program to four other municipalities: the Town of Ossining and the villages of Tarrytown, Croton-on-Hudson and Dobbs Ferry.
Those communities will have the opportunity to deploy e-bikes, charging and docking stations.
Bringing pedal-assist bikes is envisioned as a way to solve Ossining’s downtown parking crunch as well as provide an environmentally friendly transportation alternative.
The program could potentially dovetail with Millwood-Ossining Go, which is seeking to develop a network of bike-friendly streets and a dedicated bike path along Route 133 that would run between the Empire State Trail and Ossining’s downtown.
Ossining’s demographics, hilly streets, and downtown parking challenges make e-bikes a good fit, according to Maddi Zachacz, Ossining’s assistant village manager.
Bike lending and charging stations would be placed in locations that would enhance residents’ access to jobs, commercial areas, transit hubs, schools and parks, according to planners.
Read more about the project: electricmobilitychallenge.org/awardees/eit-innoenergy
Too dangerous – The hills in Ossining – particularly around the train station are very difficult to manage even for a very experienced cyclist – Not the uphill I’m worried about – it’s the downhill
This is a fantastic idea! I’ve riding an E-bike for about 5 years (I was a pretty early adopter) in Ossining . My bike is a Pedego Interceptor with a 48 amp, 14 volt battery. I have helmet lights (with turn/brake signals) and front and rear strobe lights, and keep them all on even during the day time so that I am more visible. I also have a rear-view mirror on the left side to keep an eye on who is behind me. The down-hills are sometimes a bit scary but good brakes, and keeping your eyes on the road in front of you, makes it safer, and it only takes a minute or two to get down the Ossining train station hills. The up-hills are quick if you’re also use your throttle (a MUST on e-bikes, don’t let anyone tell you differently!). I bike on the Aqueduct trail mostly…south to Tarrytown, Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, etc. and north to past Croton and the park (Senasqua (sp.?)) with trails along the river. I also have a 2″ hitch and bike rack for my car to take the bike with me on other trails along the Hudson Valley and beyond.
Hi Joseph! I own the Pedego Ebike store in Croton. We ride the aqueduct trail south through Ossining often. Hope to see you on the trail one day!