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Metro Boston’s bike
share program launched on July 28, 2011 as Hubway, with 600 bicycles and 60
stations. Logging more than 100,000 rides within the first 10 weeks, it
quickly proved itself to be an essential part of Boston’s transportation
network. In 2012, the municipalities of Brookline, Cambridge, and
Somerville installed their own stations, enabling trips throughout the core
of the region. Within the first five years of bike share, more than 5
million trips were taken.
In 2018, Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Massachusetts became the title sponsor, supporting a massive
expansion of the network and rebranding the system as Bluebikes.
Since then, seven additional communities have joined the Bluebikes
system: Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Newton, Revere, Salem, and Watertown. Bluebikes
are now available across an area of over 95 square miles with 400 stations
and 4,000 bikes.
“We’re thrilled to
see the incredible impact the public bike share system has had on Metro
Boston over the last decade and we’re honored to partner with the municipalities
in supporting Bluebikes’ continued growth,” said Kathy Klingler, chief
consumer and marketing officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
“Our sponsorship of Bluebikes aligns perfectly with our mission to help all
Massachusetts residents lead healthy lives and to stand as an ally in
strengthening the overall health of our communities.”
Today, more than
22,000 people hold annual passes for Bluebikes. As a public system, fares
are set to ensure affordability for the region’s residents, workers, and
visitors. Discounted fares are available for $5 per month or $50 per year
for any resident who participates in public assistance programs such as
SNAP. Over 350 employers offer discounted bike share passes to their
employees.
“Bluebikes has helped
make Boston a more accessible, affordable, and environmentally friendly
city,” said Mayor Janey. “By connecting Boston neighborhoods and
surrounding cities for residents, commuters, and visitors alike, bike
sharing represents a key intersection of transportation equity and climate
justice. I was proud to provide free Blubikes memberships to many of the
workers in our community hardest hit by the pandemic and I look forward to
continuing our partnership for many years to come.”
“Bluebikes has
been a critical addition to the transportation options available in Greater
Boston,” noted Chris Dempsey, Chair of the Brookline Transportation Board.
“Today, Bluebikes is one of the most popular bike share systems in the
country, and it serves commuters, residents, students and visitors in
neighborhoods across the region. We applaud the work of so many who have
made this anniversary possible, and look forward to the next decade of this
thriving, vital system.”
“Cambridge is proud
to be one of the original Bluebikes municipalities. This robust bike share
system has created an affordable, environmentally sustainable public
transportation option to the people who live, work and visit here,” said
Louis A. DePasquale, Cambridge City Manager. “We particularly appreciate
the support from our community partners, including Harvard and MIT who were
with us from the start, as well as CambridgeSide, the Museum of Science,
Biogen, Verizon, Google, BioMed Realty, Alexandria Real Estate, and
EF.”
“Congratulations to
Bluebikes, its many members, and our municipal partners on ten years of
public bikeshare,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Bluebikes is
a convenient, inexpensive, and essential public transportation service in
the region and continues to be an important tool for equitable mobility in
Somerville. We look forward to continuing to enhance and expand this
important public service.”
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