A new bike share program at The Park at Berkeley Heights will feature Classic Plus model bikes that offer a low-maintenance, hassle-free, belt-drive bicycle, which are designed and manufactured by Priority Bicycles and feature The Park’s private label and branding. — Courtesy: The Connell Co.
By Joshua Burd
The Connell Co. has launched a new bike share program at its flagship business campus in Berkeley Heights, the latest piece of its plan to revamp the 185-acre property.
In a news release, the developer said the program will serve tenants at what’s known as The Park at Berkeley Heights, including users of its 1.5 million square feet of office space and a new flexible workplace facility and social club known as Round Table Studios. Tenants can access the private fleet through an app, allowing them to traverse the campus’ vast footprint while taking a break from their work day.
Connell sees it as an expansion of its focus on health and wellness at the site.
“We were inspired by the ‘15-minute city concept’, which originated in Paris and is essentially the creation of an easy-access hub where people can access everything they need within a 15-minute travel radius,” said Shane Connell, executive vice president at The Connell Co. “Through The Park’s new bike share program, we created a free amenity for The Park’s tenants and guests that provides them with the micro-ability to move freely and quickly about the campus, particularly at a time when there is a heightened demand for access to the outdoors.”
According to Connell, the offerings include Classic Plus model bikes that offer a low-maintenance, hassle-free, belt-drive bicycle, which are designed and manufactured by Priority Bicycles and feature The Park’s private label and branding. The bikes are rust-free and feature an ultra-light frame, front basket, puncture-resistant tires and two braking systems.
Additionally, each bike comes in two sizes — small/medium and medium/large — and has three-speed versatility for recreational riding, plus standard components for more frequent riders and light commutes.
Tenants can use the bikes by downloading the Lattis App and creating an account, the news release said. Riders, who will be limited to the campus by geo-fencing technology, will need to complete a terms and conditions waiver prior to unlocking and using a bike and provide credit card information, but will only be charged if the bike is damaged or stolen.
Once registered, riders can select a bike and reserve it for a specified amount of time before riding. Alternatively, riders can use the Lattis App to scan a bike’s QR code to check its availability, allowing them to ride it immediately if it’s not reserved.
Bike racks are situated at seven locations within The Park — buildings 50, 100, 200, 250, 300, 400 and The Grove — with 10 bikes at each location for a total of 70 bikes on campus, Connell said. Riders can return a bike by dropping them off at any of the seven racks on campus, where they will be prompted to take a photo of the securely returned bike.
Later this year, riders will be able to access the fleet via The Park App, when it goes live, the news release said. Connell Drive has dedicated bike lanes and paths, with more planned to be added as the company continues to develop The Park as part of the campus’ $400 million transformation and redevelopment.
Those plans include a new pedestrian-focused, urban-style development called The District, which will feature more than 300 apartments and offerings such as duckpin bowling, a Southern California-style taco stand and a brewery and beer garden with rooftop event space. Connell is also modernizing each of its five existing office buildings with a physical overhaul and the addition of upscale dining options, an on-site clinic and a high-end fitness center.
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