The Latest From BostonBiker.org

News, Events, Updates


Hubway Had An Amazing Year, Plans On Expanding Again Next Year

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 03

The Hubway bike sharing system had a record breaking year, and is going to continue its steady expansion next year. With trips over 50% higher than expected, year round operation and steady expansion are in the works for 2013.

Hubway recorded 533,755 rides before shutting down for the season Wednesday night, pushing the cumulative total to 676,044 since its July 2011 launch, roughly 50 percent better than planners had hoped.

Now, officials are envisioning a future with Hubway running year-round and fanning out across all Boston neighborhoods and many surrounding communities, beyond the current 105 stations — 72 in Boston, 22 in Cambridge, eight in Somerville, and three in Brookline — and 1,003 bicycles.

“Everybody’s been calling,” said Jessica Robertson, transportation coordinator for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which helped Boston launch Hubway and expand across municipal borders for its second season. Cities as far off as Pittsfield and Portland, Maine, have inquired about starting satellites, while local communities, starting with Newton, want to tie into the existing map.

A typical station with bikes costs about $50,000 and requires $10,000 in annual subsidies, though operations are expected to be covered fully by user fees and advertising as Hubway matures. Those costs make expansion contingent on grants, private sponsorship, and local taxes, and the outward march is incremental — far-flung stations do not succeed in a system designed for short trips and rapid transit.

But a winterized Hubway could happen by December 2013. Current contracts and permits call for a nearly four-month closure, but the two-thirds of Hubway stations located on plazas and sidewalks could remain in place without posing an obstacle for street plowing.(via)

More information about the first Hubway rider to reach 1000 miles here. Kid is pretty nice.


submit Hubway Had An Amazing Year, Plans On Expanding Again Next Year to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Commuting, infrastructure | 9 Comments »

The Word On The Street

  • RSS Here is what people are saying

    • Action Alert: Bike Safety Bill Needs Your Help June 19, 2013
      TweetFrom MassBike: —————- In January, we filed two bills with the Massachusetts State Legislature, and we just found out that the bills are going to be heard in committee next Wednesday. We need your help to get these bills moving! The … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • NEW BIKE! June 19, 2013
      Continue reading → […]
      cyclemom
    • INTERGRATING VISION INTO OPERATIONS: Balancing Front-Line Empowerment With Organizational Priorities at MassDOT June 19, 2013
      TweetAll too little attention and praise has been given to MassDOT’s recent announcements of state funding for the Neponset River Greenway, the inclusion of Community Path design as part of the Green Line extension, and funding for a major expansion … Continue reading → […]
      semiller
    • Worry About The Rain All Day, Walk Outside And The Rain Stops: Rain Day Open Thread June 18, 2013
      Tweet oh yea! Post your best rain day adventures in the comments. […]
      Boston Biker
    • More Gems from the Geekhouse Vault June 17, 2013
      Tweet Here’s another bike that we’ve been working on for a while, Evan P’s custom painted (by Spectrum Powderworks) polo bike with S&S couplers. We did a special box crown fork for him that we have only done once before … Continue reading → […]
      geekhousebikes
    • Newton Bike Update (Tonight) June 17, 2013
      Tweetfrom the email, check it out if you are in the Newton area: The Second Annual Newton Bicycle Update will have all the details: Monday, June 17, 6-7 pm, War Memorial Auditorium, City Hall (Psst–last year the City got an … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • Politicizing Bike Shares For Personal Gain June 17, 2013
      Tweet In a country where cycling has a negative image, bike share programs can be very controversial. This is particularly true in the U.S. where urban areas are densely populated and jammed up with virtually non-stop traffic. A small number … Continue reading → […]
      IsolateCyclist
    • Urban Foraging And Bike Tour TONIGHT June 14, 2013
      TweetLast minute, but you could run over after work and it looks awesome. ——————– Friday, June 14th, 5:30 pm Nick Woebske and Galen Mook lead a bike tour at dusk around the perimeter of the Alewife Reservation. Edible plant expert … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • Moving on up. June 14, 2013
      TweetWhen Dan and I made the big move to Boston, we were lucky to find an apartment in a two-family slightly below market price in East Arlington. When the house sold to a new owner, they promised they wouldn’t raise … Continue reading → […]
      nanda
    • Boston Police District C-11 Presents Summer Safety Day Bike Rodeo June 13, 2013
      TweetTake the little ones out and get them trained in bike safety, parents might learn a thing or two as well. (from DotBike) ——————————– Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:00am until 2:00pm in EDT Boston Police District C-11 presents Summer Safety … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker