Cambridge, MA - The City of Cambridge today joined Boston, Somerville, Everett, Brookline and system sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in welcoming 750 next-generation ebikes into the region’s Bluebikes bicycle fleet. The first 20 ebikes are expected to roll out today at 4 p.m. at the Kendall Square Valet station, while additional ebikes will be made available on City streets over the next few months. The integration of these new ebikes is expected to grow the overall Bluebikes fleet to 5,000 bikes across 500 regional stations by next summer.
Bluebikes’ ebikes, which are manufactured by Lyft and were named one of TIME’s 100 Best Inventions of 2022, feature a smooth ride with pedal-assist technology, a single gear transmission, a long-lasting battery with a 60-mile range, a user-friendly interface LCD screen, and safety upgrades such as LED light and reflective paint for increased visibility. Massachusetts legalized Class 1 ebikes, which have no throttle and have a maximum speed of 20 MPH, as part of the Transportation Bond Bill in 2022.?
The City of Cambridge and other municipal owners have prioritized access and affordability for the new Bluebikes ebikes, which will be available at $0.10 per minute for Bluebikes members and $0.07 per minute for low-income residents enrolled in Bluebikes’ Income-Eligible Program. Income-eligible riders are provided a reduced annual or monthly fee for Bluebikes. Ebikes will be $0.25 per minute for non-member riders who purchase a Single Trip or Adventure Pass.
“The City of Cambridge is proud to support more affordable, sustainable, and healthier forms of transportation and extend what has been a win-win public-private partnership,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “Bluebikes have become a critical part of Cambridge’s public transportation system and I am excited to make that system more accessible through the addition of ebikes. Adding this eco-friendly option to the Bluebikes fleet will open up the system to more older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may find traditional bikes hard to pedal. It will also create more opportunities for individuals seeking to maximize their time, get around and access to our busy communities, while reducing traffic congestion."
Ebike riders are afforded all the rights and privileges related to all bicycle riders, except that ebikes are not allowed to be ridden on sidewalks. The City of Cambridge encourages riders to be respectful of other users on roads and paths by slowing down to pass and ride at a speed that is within handling abilities.
About Bluebikes
Bluebikes is public transportation by bike. The system is jointly owned and managed by the Cities of Boston, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville and the Town of Brookline. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the system’s title sponsor. Riders can find 455 stations and more than 4,000 bikes across 13 municipalities in Metro Boston. Since 2011, riders have taken more than 22 million trips on Bluebikes. For more information about Bluebikes, visit bluebikes.com.
