Boston Mayor Michelle Wu recently announced the Boston Bikes Pass, an annual discounted Bluebikes membership for city residents. This short-term pilot program, set to run until June 2024, is designed to amplify the use of Metro Boston's public bike share system, Bluebikes.
"Our residents deserve access to sustainable, affordable transit. The Boston Bikes Pass lowers financial barriers often encountered when trying to navigate our city," stated Mayor Wu. This pass steps from Boston's desire to reduce its environmental footprint, especially in a world increasingly focused on climate change.
With the new initiative, qualified Boston residents who lacked an annual Bluebikes membership in the last three years can purchase the $60/year membership instead of the standard rate of $129 per year. And for those who are eligible for MassHealth or SNAP, or meet income guidelines, may access a $5 per year rate, a significant decrease from the regular income-eligible rate of $50 per year. This pricing structure facilitates transportation for all socio-economic demographics of the city.
Underpinning the initiative is the mission to expand the bike share system by 100 stations, covering high-demand areas to make the system more reliable for riders. Nearly 90 percent of Boston households are within a 10-minute walk of a bike share station. The City aims to cut that distance in half for denser residential neighborhoods and make sure all major transit stations and stops are served by bike share stations.
Elijah Evans, Executive Director of Bikes Not Bombs, commended Mayor Wu's commitment to launching the Boston Bikes Pass. He sees bicycles as a potential catalyst for social change and equity in the city. Maha Aslam, Project Manager of Transit + Streets at LivableStreets Alliance, echoed this sentiment, while championing the discounted rates associated with Bluebikes membership. "Let's pedal together towards a greener, more affordable, and accessible Boston!" Aslam encouraged.
The Boston Bikes Pass follows a recent surge in Bluebikes ridership. Over 2,950,000 trips were taken in 2023, with more than 400,000 in September alone. The Bluebikes system is a municipally owned public bike share system that is managed jointly by Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville, striving to provide affordable and reliable biking options.
This initiative complements Mayor Wu's vision of making all forms of transportation affordable, convenient, and safe. Recently, Mary Skelton Roberts was introduced as the city's first representative on the MBTA Board of Directors. This summer also saw the debut of Boston Delivers, an e-cargo bike delivery pilot program aimed at supporting local businesses, reducing pollution, and improving traffic safety.
To get a Boston Bikes Pass, residents should visit the website and fill out the necessary form. Those applying for the Income-Eligible Boston Bikes Pass need to verify their enrollment in a public benefit program like SNAP, MassHealth, or demonstrate a qualifying income. After verification, instructions on how to sign up will be sent.
