Major expansion of public bike share system announced

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the largest single expansion of the public bike share system since its launch in Boston in 2011. The upcoming expansion delivers on one of the projects and policies of Go Boston 2030, the City of Boston's comprehensive mobility plan released in March of this year. Over the next two years, more than 70 new bike stations will be added to the 127 stations currently in existence in Boston, more than a 55 percent increase in bike stations located across the City of Boston. The expansion comes after the Boston Transportation Department negotiated a new long-term contract with Motivate, International to operate the publicly-owned Hubway system.

 

"Bike share is low-cost, reliable transportation for Boston residents. I'm proud to bring new service to neighborhoods that have asked to be included in the program," said Mayor Walsh. "To further improve the system, the majority of Hubway stations will now operate in the City of Boston year round, continuing service to residents and other members throughout the winter months."

 

"During the Go Boston 2030 planning process, residents told us they wanted more access to healthy transportation options," said Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "With this expansion of bike share service, more people can count on riding a bike year round for trips to work, to school, to libraries and more, or for recreational purposes."

 

BTD will continue to seek additional funding opportunities to work toward the City of Boston's 2030 bike share goals. The expansion, as well as new service improvements that will also be introduced in the coming months, is the result of efforts made by BTD's Policy and Planning Division/Active Transportation Team. Additional service improvements include more valet services where users are guaranteed bikes and docks at high-demand locations, and innovative techniques to make sure bikes and empty docks are more available at every station. In addition, the system's dependability will be improved with the addition of new stations and docks where many people are already using bike share.

 

The additional bike-share stations in Boston will be complemented by growth of the Hubway network in Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline as well. Together with Boston, these municipalities manage the regional bike share system and also approved long-term contracts with Motivate.

 

"The region's highly successful bike share system is a result of the collaborative relationship that exists among the partnering cities," said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. "Hubway has been available to Cambridge residents and visitors year-round for the past four years, which reflects our commitment to sustainable and cost-effective transportation. We look forward to year-round service coming to Boston, and the system's expansion in the coming years."

 

"For Brookline, near-term system expansion will more than double the number of stations in Town, and at full buildout there will be thirteen stations, making it easier than ever to make regional connections. We are excited to be joining our municipal partners in growing the system and reaching more neighborhoods and riders," said Brookline Board of Selectmen Chair Neil Wishinsky.

 

Planning for Boston's bike share station expansion will begin in the early summer, with public meetings to be held in neighborhoods across the City. BTD expects to reach new neighborhoods with bike share, including Dorchester, Roslindale, and Mattapan. Dozens of new stations and docks will also be added in Boston's existing service area to better meet current demand.

 

"We're excited to work with such great partners to help expand Hubway, and get more people riding than ever before," said Jay Walder, President and CEO of Motivate, the operator of Hubway. "As part of that effort we are talking to several companies potentially interested in becoming the new title sponsor of the program and look forward to finding the right fit to help continue to grow this dynamic, vital new part of Boston's regional transportation network."

 

"Without a doubt bike sharing is having a profound impact on our region," said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, whose agency helps to coordinate the regional Hubway system. "There is great demand to expand the system into more neighborhoods in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline, and into neighboring cities and towns. Getting more people onto bikes more often is our goal."

 

The Hubway system is regional public transportation by bike, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville. System wide, there are more than 180 stations offering 1,600 bikes to more than 15,000 members. Since launching in July 2011, users have taken 5.3 million trips.  Find out more about the Hubway system at www.thehubway.com.