ANDERSONVILLE — Cyclists rolling through Andersonville might soon be able to make pit stops for repairs at do-it-yourself "fix-it stations."
But first the Andersonville Development Corp. has to raise enough money between now and September to buy the equipment.
Eco-Andersonville, the organization's environmental sustainability initiative, launched a partnership Wednesday with transit mobile app RideScout, which has agreed to donate $1 to Eco-Andersonville for every downloader the organizations sends its way via a unique link.
RideScout aggregates real-time data about traffic and transportation options to help travelers navigate the city.
Brian Bonanno, Eco-Andersonville's sustainable programs manager, said "we identified bike repair stations as something we could use to try to motivate people to try this new app and help us accomplish a goal rather than just blindly raise money."
RideScout promised to donate a maximum of $2,000, and the chamber wants to buy at least two fix-it stations, with the possibility that a small amount of Eco-Andersonville funds could supplement RideScout's donations, according to Bonanno.
Preliminarily, Bonanno said he's considering putting one of the repair stations outside the Coffee Studio, 5628 N. Clark. The stations cost about $900 a pop, and are fitted with an air pump and basic tools for minor bike repairs, such as raising seats and replacing tires.
The stations would also include a mount so people can lift their bikes off the ground to perform repairs.
"We're just really trying to provide the amenities that make it easy for people to bike around the neighborhood and make them feel comfortable," Bonanno said. "It's just another small piece to that puzzle."
Officials in Andersonville have until September to raise as much money as possible under the RideScout deal, Bonanno said.
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