Today Bluebikes has announced a system expansion that will add five new municipalities and an expected 30 stations to the region’s public bike share system. Each new community will add six new stations to expand and extend the Bluebikes service area later this summer. When combined with the stations within the existing municipalities, the system will offer nearly 400 stations and 4,000 bikes across 10 communities in the metro Boston area.

The new municipalities are introducing the docked Bluebikes system for a two-year pilot and will evaluate performance at the end of the term. The new communities are funding this expansion effort alongside Lyft, the contracted operator of Bluebikes. Funds in Arlington, Chelsea, Newton, and Watertown are also partly thanks to a MassDOT Workforce Transportation grant received earlier this year by these four municipalities.

Bluebikes is delighted to support more riders in metro Boston with this system expansion, particularly at a time when socially distant, low impact transportation options are so important for our region. We’re excited to work with the current and new municipal owners to add capacity and coverage to the Bluebikes network, bringing affordable, reliable, and sustainable two-wheeled transportation to additional communities.

On top of this outward expansion, the cities of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville are adding to their existing Bluebikes network, installing new stations in areas including Hyde Park, Mattapan, western Cambridge, and along the Green Line Extension and Community Path corridor in Somerville.

To celebrate this expansion and to support the community, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the title sponsor of Bluebikes, is sponsoring a ‘first ride free’ program throughout the month of August, making it easier for new riders to try Bluebikes. New customers across the Bluebikes system can take advantage of this promotion for a free first ride by simply downloading the Bluebikes app, creating an account, and opening the app. Blue Cross is in the third year of a six-year Bluebikes title sponsorship, which launched on May 16, 2018. Through its partnership with the municipal owners of Bluebikes, Blue Cross supports continued growth and expansion, including system upgrades, additional bikes, new mobile app features, and station expansions creating increased access.

“We’re thrilled that Newton residents and visitors will soon be able to rent a bike as part of the Bluebikes system. They will be able to pick up and drop off bikes not only in Newton but in neighboring communities including Watertown, Cambridge, Boston and beyond.”Ruthanne Fuller, Newton Mayor

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring bike share to Watertown, and provide connections to the other communities and to the T, with a consistent program throughout the region. The experience for the public will be seamless and much more functional.” Steve Magoon, Watertown Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development and Planning.

“Arlington is looking forward to joining this program connecting the Town with other communities in the metro Boston area. Our last bike share program was very popular and with financial support from MassDOT I’m glad we can bring bike sharing back to Arlington and provide a transportation option that helps reduce one’s carbon footprint.” Adam Chapdelaine, Arlington Town Manager