Grid Bikes Make Avoiding Fossil Fuels Easy: Take advantage of this public bike share program in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, says Natalia Trulsson.

Grid Bikes is a public bike share with multiple bike racks in downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Powered by the Social Bicycles app, users reserve and unlock their bike with an account number that’s connected to a credit or debit card. It’s a pay-as-you-go mentality, allowing users to press pause if they’re running errands, dropping off laundry or getting a drink with friends.

The app contains a grid with all of the available bikes to rent downtown and where to lock them up when done. There are 500 available bikes in the Phoenix area, and 250 each in Mesa and Tempe. The rates are $5 hourly, $30 monthly or $79 annually ($59 with student discount).

Grid Bikes and sustainability go hand-in-hand because bicycles have no emissions. The bike also has a solar-powered panel on the back that can be used to store energy if the rider becomes tired and needs an extra push while cycling. If more people take interest in doing their daily commute via Grid Bikes, there could be a promising expansion of bike lanes and a more biker-friendly atmosphere in Arizona cities.

For more information, visit GridBikes.com.

Natalia Trulsson is a graduate of the Arizona State University School of Sustainability. Contact her at LifeLivedSustainably.blogspot.com/?m=1.