Bike Sharing News

Statistics from Dallas bike share company Ofo are up, up, and away

Ofo bike-share use is rolling along.

Photo courtesy of Ofo

Bike-sharing continues to climb, according to figures released by Ofo, one of the handful of bike-share companies that has set up shop in Dallas.

Ofo began service in Dallas in early November, and its users have ridden more than 100,000 miles.

In December, the number of trips increased by more than 50 percent and January was better yet, with nearly 75 percent growth, even during the cold snap.

Statistics from Ofo mirror those of other bike-share companies in that the majority of trips — nearly 70 percent — start or end near a transit stop (light rail or bus) in Dallas.

This number is significantly higher than other cities Ofo serves such as Washington, D.C. and Seattle, where that number is closer to half.

The company has partnered with DART to place its yellow bikes near rail stations in downtown Dallas, plus Mockingbird Station, and two stops in Plano — about 10 stops, total.

As part of an overall city-wide promotion, the bikes are free through the month of February; the company is still mulling its plans for March.

"We had a meeting with Gary Thomas, the CEO of DART," says Everett Weiler, general manager of Ofo Dallas. "He's fascinated with bike sharing because we present a realistic solution for the first-mile last-mile problem.

"For people who might otherwise use public transportation, that last mile from a bus or train stop is an obstacle," he says. "It would take you another 30 minutes to walk it, but it's only 5 minutes on a bike. Bike-sharing opens the door to a brand new user."

Ofo is the company that partnered with Paul Quinn College and placed 50 bikes on campus for students to use for free. In less than a month, they've logged hundreds of trips.

The company has also tracked its bikes being ridden outside of the urban core, in areas that are traditionally underserved, IE southern Dallas, where 20 percent of Ofo's bike fleet is being utilized.

"We feel that's important, and we're doing what we can to be part of the mayor's Grow South initiative," Weiler says.

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Animal News

Wills Point, Texas man charged with cruelty for abandoning 18 animals

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Lucas Wayne Penrod, charged with animal cruelty

Another animal cruelty case has emerged from Van Zandt County, resulting in the arrest of a Wills Point man: Lucas Wayne Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

It began on Friday, October 24, when the Wills Point Police Department performed a welfare check at a mobile home within the city limits. Officers became concerned when they heard multiple dogs barking along with a foul odor of animal waste.

On October 25, after obtaining a search warrant, Wills Point PD and the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit entered the residence and found multiple animals living in deplorable conditions.

The mobile home was filled with trash and animal feces. The team discovered a total of 8 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 4 adult dogs, and 4 puppies, cruelly confined to the unsanitary living conditions on the property.

Two dogs were confined to filthy crates with no access to water.
Three puppies were in a small bathroom covered in urine and feces; one of the puppies was deceased and decomposing.
The guinea pigs were found in a cage without access to food or water.

Most of the animals showed signs of long-term neglect and were in dire need of urgent medical intervention. The animals were seized by the SPCA of Texas and transported to the organization's Dallas location for veterinary care.

Dog in cage Wills Point Lucas Wayne Penrod Dog abandoned in Wills Point by Lucas Wayne Penrod.SPCA

On October 26, Lucas Wayne Penrod, the owner of the animals, contacted an SPCA of Texas Investigator regarding the animals. The Investigator determined that Penrod had unlawfully allegedly abandoned the animals, failing to provide them with proper care, resulting in the death of one of the puppies and the critical state of the surviving animals.

On October 28, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Penrod, who was apprehended by Tyler Police Department and booked into the Smith County Jail with a $50K bond. Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

On November 1, at a civil custody hearing at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 courthouse in Wills Point, Penrod relinquished custody of the 18 allegedly abandoned, cruelly treated animals to the SPCA.

"The squalid conditions these beautiful animals were living in were abhorrent--locked in spaces without food or water, in their own excrement," said SPCA of Texas ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. "This is some of the worst mistreatment of domestic animals I've seen in my extensive career in animal cruelty investigations. In no small part, these pets owe their lives to the Wills Point Police Department. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking to involve us right away, I don't think the animals would have made it."

"This case perfectly illustrates the team effort that investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Texas is," Burns added. "We are extremely thankful to the Tyler Police Department for their efficient assistance in apprehending Penrod so that he can be brought to justice in the timeliest manner possible. And we are especially grateful to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and court system with whom we continue to partner to get justice for abused animals in their jurisdiction."