Zagster (Outsource A)
Zagster offers turn-key solutions – solutions that take care of virtually everything, including materials, implementation, and operations – for communities that want to benefit from a bike-share program. According to CEO Timothy Ericson, Zagster strives to replicate with bikes what Zipcar has done with cars. Since its founding in 2007, the company has grown continuously and has experienced great success. As of July 2015, it raised over $3.5 million from venture capitalists, bringing its total funding to over $6 million (Kolodny). Zagster has partnered with businesses and corporate campuses, universities, and residential properties; some notable partners include General Motors, Duke University, and Lehigh University. Zagster is truly an expert in this field, as there are very few competitors that match Zagster’s experience in the market.
By offering a turn-key solution Zagster ensures that partners implement a cost-effective system that will meet administrative goals, please users, and place little to no burden on the surrounding community. Further, Duke University Student Government president, Lavanya Sunder mentioned that they “love the fact that Zagster manages the entire program, from the technology, to customer service and bike maintenance. It allows us to offer this program without huge costs” (Williams).
Zagster recognizes that a program that may work at Duke or at Lehigh may not work at Lafayette. Lafayette is subject to its own unique medley of socio-technical, economical, policy, and environmental forces. As a result, if Lafayette were to partner with Zagster to implement a bike-share program on campus, Zagster would send representatives to gather information about Lafayette’s infrastructure along with its technical and non-technical environment and goals. Once Zagster obtains all of this information, it will develop a bike-share program specifically tailored to fit Lafayette’s social climate, environmental and geographical features, and policy goals.
How Will It Work?
Users are the central component to any bike-share system. As a result, for a bike-share system to be used, it should feature an easy interface and provide users with unique incentives.
As seen in the image above, the Zagster system works with very simple technology that will be readily available to all Lafayette College users. To check out a bicycle, the user would simply obtain a checkout code from a mobile app and type it into the chosen bicycle’s keypad.
Further, Zagster’s system allows users to make intermittent stops on their journey, while the bike is checked out. For example, a user could ride to a local restaurant, visit a friend, and simply lock the bike with the provided U-lock to allow for safe stops while running errands.
The System
Apart from the users, the Zagster system comprises of several components which include:
- Bicycles
- Docking Stations
- Software
- Host Institution (i.e. Lafayette College)
- Zagster Operations Team
- Local Maintenance crew
The physical Zagster bike several key features that make it safe and useful to a wide range of individuals. The adjustable seat ensures that any user, regardless of physical characteristics will be able to use Lafayette’s Bike-share system. The U-lock and active lights are two critical safety features that will allow users to venture outward while preventing theft and promoting safety through increased visibility. The seven gears will assist users in navigating through Easton’s hilly topography. Additionally,. the fenders and chain guard allow easy cleaning. Finally, the basket in front of the bicycle allows students to transport items such as books or groceries.
The docking stations and software help to increase visibility of the bicycles on campus and to ensure security when docked. By having a docking station, users will know where they can always find an available bicycle. In addition, the dock station has several points of contact locking with the bicycles that will prevent the risk of theft. The software program will inform users of the number of bikes available at any given time and will allow the Zagster operations team to research any insightful trends that could offer insight as to how to grow the program.
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To navigate accross the page please use the following links:
• Bike-share Meets Lafayette
• The Team
• Defining the Scope
• Challenges and Mitigating Factors
• Solutions
• Conclusion
• Bibliography