Since Indego’s expansion began in 2021, we’ve added more than 100 new stations, bringing bike share to even more neighborhoods in Philadelphia. To show what this growth means in real life, we sat down with two riders from opposite sides of the city: Port Richmond and Manayunk. Both depend on Indego stations at the edge of the system, but in very different ways. Read on to see how bike share powers their commutes, routines, and city adventures.

We spoke with Kacy, who has lived in Port Richmond for eighteen years with her husband and two daughters. She works downtown as a paralegal at a small law firm and regularly commutes with Indego. Kacy started riding Indego about a year ago, after a coworker suggested it. She used to take the Market-Frankford Line, but often arrived at work feeling frustrated due to crowded or delayed trains.

“Riding Indego is much more peaceful,” she said. These days, she bikes along the city’s bike lanes and enjoys the fresh air on her way to work. “Now I’m in a better mood in the morning.” Her ride home has improved, too. “With Indego, I always know what time I’ll get home, which helps when I’m coordinating with sitters for my kids.”

Another major perk? No need to store a bike. “Having the option to bike without taking up space in our house or backyard was huge for me,” she said. When Indego expanded into Port Richmond, her commute became even more convenient. “I was so excited,” Kacy said. Before that, she would drive to the Spring Garden Indego station, park nearby, and then hop on a bike.

Long before the station opened, Kacy had put in a request on Indego’s Submit-A-Station page, hoping to see Port Richmond added to the map. Now, her friends and family know her as an Indego regular. “I found out about the Allegheny & Richmond station because a friend sent me a picture of it, and I used it the very next day.”

Emma is a 14-year-old who loves tap and hip hop dance, as well as baking and cooking at home. She lives just outside of Philadelphia and doesn’t own a bike, so she and her mom have been using Indego together as a fun way to get exercise and explore the area.

Over the summer, Emma and her mom have been riding about four times a week. They usually check out bikes from the Manayunk Bridge station, but since Emma isn’t old enough to ride Indego electric bikes yet, they’ll sometimes visit nearby stations like Cresson & Levering or Main & Shurs to find classic bikes.

One of Emma’s favorite things about the Manayunk Bridge station is how many trails it connects to. “I like to bike on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail or the Canal Towpath, which runs alongside the Manayunk canal,” she explained.

The Cynwyd Heritage Trail, she said, can be challenging if you’re not the strongest biker, since it’s a steady incline the whole way up. “It’s a great way to build muscle, and it’s very pretty and peaceful, too. The way back is easy, you can basically coast the whole way, and there’s a nice breeze the entire time.”

The Canal Towpath, on the other hand, is flat and shady, which makes it perfect for hot weather. Emma also enjoys the views of the canal and the historic Shawmont Station. “Plus, it connects to the Schuylkill River Trail, which you can take all the way to Valley Forge or Boathouse Row.”

When asked about her favorite Indego memory, Emma shared a sweet story about the time she and her mom helped an Eastern painted turtle cross safely off the Manayunk Canal Towpath. With so many trails and scenic routes nearby, Emma is looking forward to keeping up her Indego rides even after the school year begins.

Stories like Kacy’s and Emma’s remind us that bike share is more than just transportation; it’s about connection, convenience, and joy. With even more stations on the horizon, we can’t wait to see how riders across Philadelphia will make Indego part of their everyday lives. Be sure to follow along for the latest updates as we bring bike share to even more corners of the city!