BOSTON
- Thursday, October 12, 2023 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the
Boston Bikes Pass, a discounted annual Bluebikes membership for Boston
residents that saves residents more than half the cost of the annual rate.
As part of the Boston Bikes Pass, the City is also launching an even more
discounted annual pass for income-eligible Boston residents. The City is
launching the Boston Bikes Pass as part of a short-term pilot program
(running now through June 2024) to explore options for making travel by
bike more affordable and to bolster the growing demand for Bluebikes, Metro
Boston’s public bike share system. Videos explaining the new program are
available on Mayor Wu’s Instagram in English and Spanish.
“Boston
residents deserve access to sustainable, affordable transit, and the Boston
Bikes Pass will help Bostonians get around the city by removing financial
barriers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I encourage our residents
to take advantage of these new rates to commute, connect, and explore in
our beautiful city, and I’m thankful to our city team and partners such as
Blue Cross Blue Shield who have made the Boston Bikes Pass possible.”
Boston
residents who have not had an annual Bluebikes membership in the last three
years are eligible for the $60/year membership, compared to the regular
rate of $129 per year. Boston residents who qualify for MassHealth, SNAP,
or meet income guidelines can get an even more reduced rate at $5 per year,
compared to regular income-eligible rate of $50 per year. Any Boston
resident 16-years or older who meets income guidelines is eligible for the
$5 annual pass, whether or not they have had a Bluebikes annual membership
in the past.
"Bluebikes
is an important part of our public transit system that provides reliable,
affordable biking options for riders of all levels," said Jascha
Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. "We are especially grateful for
the generous support of BlueCross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts whose title
sponsorship has paved the way for Bluebikes' tremendous success."
Boston
continues to work towards a 100-station expansion of the bike share system.
These new stations will fill gaps in high-demand areas, making the system
more reliable for riders. Currently, nearly 90 percent of Boston households
are within a 10 minute walk of a bike share station. The City’s goal is to
establish stations within a three to five minute walk in denser residential
neighborhoods and ensure that all major transit stations and stops are
served by bike share stations. A map of existing Bluebikes stations can be
found here.
"Mayor
Wu's commitment to launching the 'Boston Bikes Pass' reflects a visionary
understanding of the bicycle's transformative power as a catalyst for
social change and equity in our beloved city,” said Elijah Evans,
Executive Director of Bikes Not Bombs. “I am thrilled to see this
initiative that aligns so closely with our mission. We firmly believe in
using the bicycle as a vehicle for social change, advancing equity in
Boston, and investing in a people-centered, climate resilient
transportation system. The 'Boston Bikes Pass' will make Bluebikes more
affordable and accessible, opening doors to transportation options for all
residents. By prioritizing sustainability and promoting active modes of
transportation, Mayor Wu is paving the way for a more inclusive and
environmentally conscious future. We stand together in our commitment to
creating positive change and building a thriving, equitable city for all
Bostonians."
“I'm
thrilled to support the new affordable rates for Bluebikes membership,”
said Maha Aslam, Project Manager, Transit + Streets at the
LivableStreets Alliance. “Access to affordable transportation is a
critical step toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all
Bostonians. Let's pedal together towards a greener, more affordable, and
accessible Boston!”
Residents
can apply for a Boston Bikes Pass by visiting boston.gov/bikepass and
filling out the appropriate form. Those applying for the Income-Eligible
Boston Bikes Pass will need to upload documents to verify enrollment in a
public benefit program like SNAP, MassHealth, or to demonstrate a
qualifying income. Once verified, residents will be sent instructions to sign
up.
Today’s
announcement comes at a time of growing ridership in the Bluebikes system.
To date, riders have taken 2,950,000 trips on Bluebikes in 2023, with more
than 400,000 in September alone.
Bluebikes
is a public bike share system that is municipally owned, and jointly
managed by Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville. As
co-owners of the system, the municipalities invest in bikes and station
equipment and execute station expansion plans in collaboration with
residents. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the title sponsor. The municipalities
contracted with Lyft to operate the system.
The
Boston Bikes Pass builds off of Mayor Wu’s vision to make all forms of
transportation affordable, convenient, and safe. Last month, Mayor Wu announced Mary
Skelton Roberts as the city’s first
representative on the MBTA Board of Directors, tasked with giving the City
a more direct role in the region’s public transportation system. This
summer, the City launched Boston
Delivers, an e-cargo bike delivery pilot program aimed at
supporting local businesses, reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion,
and improving street safety. Boston’s Safety Surge,
announced in May, is working to make our city streets safer by installing
speed humps on eligible neighborhood streets, redesigning intersections,
and implementing new guidelines for the City’s traffic signals. By the end
of construction season this year, BTD plans to have 7.6 miles of new bike
lanes completed, as previously
announced last year by Mayor Wu.
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