More than a decade ago, when I was running a nonprofit focused on green transportation options and sustainable development, modern bikesharing was just popping onto the scene. It was a kind of revolution in the bicycle planning and bicycle commuting world, and it was built around modern, smart, fairly high-volume docking stations where people could pick up a bike or return a bike.

In more recent years, a dockless bikesharing trend has emerged. The added flexibility of being able to leave a bike anywhere appealed to many people. Just find a bike somewhere on the street near your starting point and leave it at your destination. Easy!

There are issues with both systems, though. With the stations with docks, bikes would often end up emptied from high-density residential areas in the morning, with not enough places to dock at high-density workplaces as well in the morning, and then the reverse trend in the late afternoon. With dockless stations, too many bikes could be left well off the beaten track, they could “clutter up” sidewalks in some areas, and it can just be a bit less predictable where you can find a bike if the region isn’t heavily saturated in them (which costs money). One more matter with the docking stations: they typically required large, fairly expensive kiosks.

BCycle, which has been a leader in the bikesharing arena for more than a decade (and I wrote about here on CleanTechnica at least as far back as 2013), has a helpful new bikesharing station design that takes some of those challenges to heart. The new “3.0 docking stations” are beginning to roll out in California (Santa Barbara), Florida (Broward County), and Wisconsin (Madison). They are something like a middle ground between earlier capex-heavy docking stations and completely detached dockless programs.

“BCycle has launched a new generation of dock-based bike share with the 3.0 docks,” the company writes. “The 3.0 docks combine the flexibility and streamlined infrastructure that cities and riders want with the order and predictability that have made BCycle’s bike share programs successful for more than a decade. Unique to the bike share industry, this technology allows programs to grow more quickly and at a lower cost by eliminating the need for a kiosk. Its modular design also allows for smaller stations in more locations.”

The focus on flexibility is repeated throughout the press release about the news. The message is clear: you can have some of the flexibility of a dockless system with a bit more of the order and reliability that comes with docks. Notably, part of that flexibility comes from something noted in the quote above — that these are modular stations, sort of like LEGO pieces. You could put two in one spot, or 30.

Additionally, the smaller size and greater flexibility mean that these can be spread out more diversely (almost mimicking a dockless system), and the system operator can more easily (i.e., cheaply) roll out more docking stations to specific areas as it’s determined they are needed there — as it becomes more clear where riders want to pick up and drop off bikes.

“Our goal at BCycle is to get more people on bikes,” says Morgan Ramaker, Executive Director of BCycle, LLC. “To do that, we need to make it easy for bike share programs to grow quickly and flexibly, whether that’s expanding into new neighborhoods, or creating greater density in downtown areas. We have developed a best-of-both-worlds solution that offers the flexibility that bike share riders expect, without sacrificing the reliability that we know docks provide.”

“BCycle’s new docks open so many doors for us,” says Helen Bradley, General Manager of Madison BCycle. “With lower costs and more flexibility, we can put docks in places we couldn’t previously — areas where space was limited, and a traditional kiosk wouldn’t fit — but where our riders want to be.”

Here are a few more selling points and reminders of key highlights about the stations:

• Modular, kiosk-less, easy-to-install design for countless station configuration options
• Durable aluminum construction
• Power savings through new technology
• Theft deterrents
• Easy rider access via mobile app or RFID card

They look great too.

Overall, these BCycle 3.0 docking stations look like winners. I look forward to seeing some pop up in my area of the world.

Grant will expand the impact of successful Red Bike Go program

Cincinnati – Red Bike has won a Living Lab Grant from the Better Bike Share Partnership to invest in and grow the Red Bike Go program, which provides equitable access to bikeshare.  The Living Lab grant, a two and a half year $200,000 grant, will allow Red Bike to develop and test innovative, new strategies and programs to increase access to bikeshare in the region.  The goal of the Living Lab program is to develop best practices locally in bikeshare laboratories in the winning cities that can then be replicated in bikeshare systems throughout the country.

Red Bike is one of only five organizations across the country to be designated a Living Lab City by the Better Bike Share Partnership, a national organization dedicated to building equitable and replicable shared micromobility systems.  Other cities receiving Living Lab grants include, Portland, Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia, the original Living Lab.

“This is an exciting affirmation of what we’ve done so far,” said Elese Daniel, Red Bike Education and Outreach Manager.  “And it will really allow us to build out our programming, community relationships, and team in a way that I hope connects more and more people to biking – for all the reasons they need or want to use a bike.”

The Red Bike Go Living Lab will focus on three key areas of growth.  First, the Cincinnati Living Lab will work with community members, organizations, and artists to expand the Red Bike network into new neighborhoods and communities, including Lower Price Hill, Walnut Hills, and further within the West End.  Second, Red Bike is piloting several youth bike programs in these target neighborhoods, working directly with teens and community partners.  Third, Red Bike will collaborate with communities and artists to infuse artistic activations throughout expansion and programming.

Red Bike will be hiring additional staff to help launch and manage the Red Bike Go Living Lab.  Currently Red Bike is taking applications for an Outreach and Membership Management Assistant to support all outreach and community engagement efforts.  A full description of the position is available at www.cincyredbike.org/jobs.  Red Bike also will be hiring additional Outreach Ambassadors and Interns in the coming months.

“Ensuring that everyone not only has access to Red Bike, but more importantly feels like Red Bike is actively catering to them has been a priority from day one,” said Jason Barron, Executive Director of Red Bike.  “We are incredibly proud that the Red Bike Go Program is one of the best and most creative bikeshare equity programs in the country, and we cannot wait to see what we come up with over the next two plus years.”

Red Bike Go was launched in 2018 to drive Red Bike’s equity efforts. It began as a discounted $5 monthly membership for individuals experiencing lower-income, which allows for unlimited 2-hour bike rides for 30 days.  Red Bike Go has quickly become one of the most successful bikeshare equity programs in the country.  Over 700 hundred people have accessed the program.  Last year, over 25% of all Red Bike rides were taken by members of the Go program.

The Red Bike Go Living Lab is all about creating partnership throughout the Cincinnati community to increase bike riding.  Red Bike is actively looking for new community and corporate partnerships to help make the Living Lab a success.  Interested organizations should complete a Community Partner Form, accessible here. To discuss corporate partnerships or sponsorships opportunities, contact Red Bike directly at support@cincyredbike.org.

About Red Bike

Red Bike is a 501c3, non-profit, with 59 bike share stations and over 500 publicly shared bicycles throughout Cincinnati, Newport, Covington, and Bellevue.  In 2019, Red Bike became one of the first bike share systems in the country to add electric-assist bicycles to the fleet. 

About Better Bike Share Partnership

The Better Bike Share Partnership is a collaboration to build equitable and replicable shared micromobility systems. The partners include The City of Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and the PeopleForBikes Foundation.

Full press release from the Better Bike Share Partnership is available here.

BCycle has launched a new generation of dock-based bike share with the 3.0 docks. The 3.0 docks combine the flexibility and streamlined infrastructure that cities and riders want with the order and predictability that have made BCycle’s bike share programs successful for more than a decade. Unique to the bike share industry, this technology allows programs to grow more quickly and at a lower cost by eliminating the need for a kiosk. Its modular design also allows for smaller stations in more locations.

“Our goal at BCycle is to get more people on bikes,” said Morgan Ramaker, Executive Director of BCycle, LLC. “To do that, we need to make it easy for bike share programs to grow quickly and flexibly, whether that’s expanding into new neighborhoods, or creating greater density in downtown areas. We have developed a best-of-both-worlds solution that offers the flexibility that bike share riders expect, without sacrificing the reliability that we know docks provide.”

BCycle’s new docks feature:

Modular, kiosk-less, easy-to-install design for countless station configuration options

Durable aluminum construction

Power savings through new technology

Theft deterrents

Easy rider access via mobile app or RFID card

“BCycle’s new docks open so many doors for us,” said Helen Bradley, General Manager of Madison BCycle. “With lower costs and more flexibility, we can put docks in places we couldn’t previously—areas where space was limited, and a traditional kiosk wouldn’t fit—but where our riders want to be.”

Madison, Wis., Santa Barbara, Calif., and Broward County, Fla., are the first communities to launch the 3.0 docks. All BCycle docks and stations are designed in Wisconsin and made in the United States.

Contact the BCycle Sales Team today to learn more.

Urban bike sharing company Charlotte Joy Rides has a new name, a new look and a really cool new feature. Formerly Charlotte BCycle, the company’s 250 revamped e-assist bikes hit the streets of Charlotte on Wednesday — and you might notice that they go a little faster. (Its new website will be unveiled at the same time.)

Riders can now channel their inner Lance Armstrong with a turbo boost button that allows the bike to go up to 15 mph. So if you’re running late to meet a friend or spent a little too much time picnicking in Romare Bearden Park on your lunch break, you can get to where you need to be quickly.

“Charlotte Joy Rides’ pedal-assist bikes are going to be life-changing,” said Dianna Ward, owner and executive director of Charlotte Joy Rides. “With the additional power from the electric assist, people will be able to travel farther, faster.”

RIDEABLE ART

It’s not just the speed that’s been taken up a notch, the bikes themselves have been transformed into moving pieces of art, thanks to a team of Charlotte artists. In partnership with Atrium Health, Blue Cross of North Carolina and Charlotte City Center Partners, Joy Rides commissioned seven local artists to design the fleet of bikes.

“I was honored to be one of the artists selected,” Marcus Kiser said. “As a member of the Sol Nation Collective, I love the idea of using art and design to bring awareness to renewable energy resources to combat environmental injustices.”

Kiser joined other local artists Sydney Duarte, Sam Guzzie, Georgie Nakima, Nick Napoletano, Owl from Arko & Owl and Rosalia Torres in creating the mobile art.

“Art and innovation go hand in hand. It’s great to see Charlotte embrace sustainable transportation solutions that are not only fun, but functional to the city,” Napoletano told CharlotteFive recently. “This is where we are headed: Where art and design, utilitarian function and beauty work together to make a more beautiful world that we can pass onto our children and our children’s children.”

“Charlotte Joy Rides, with these e-assist bikes and new stations, are a game changer for our community and will raise the bar on the experience our residents, workers and guests enjoy as they move through Center City,” said Michael J. Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Community Relations District Manager Michael Restanio called the bikes a “fun and healthy way to explore Charlotte.”

HOW TO RIDE

Dear Friends, 

I continue to hope that all is well with you as many continue to be challenged by the uncertain times in which we are living.  In the spirit of continued community building, I want to share an exciting opportunity to impact our city by serving as the next Executive Director (ED) of  Houston Bike Share, the nonprofit operator of the Houston BCycle system.

Houston Bike Share (HBS) seeks a leader who is passionate about urban mobility to serve as its ED.   The ED will partner with the Board of Directors to provide leadership that ensures the delivery of equitable bike share services that foster recreation, mobility, and personal wellness.  We are looking for a strategic thinker who can visualize a future where bike share becomes more of an integral part of Houston’s transportation network, and someone who can respond to the unique needs of different communities across the city. 

The ED is responsible for simultaneously leading the operations, community relations, revenue development, marketing, and team management aspects of HBS.   The leader should be an exceptional communicator who understands advanced social equity models that build inclusive economic, cultural and innovative communities.   A top priority for this leader will be to utilize key data to make strategic decisions.  The ED directs a staff of more than 20+ people to help support the growth and expansion of Houston Bike Share.  From its start in 2012 with three stations and 18 bikes, HBS has grown to 113 stations and over 700 bikes and will be hoping to grow to 130+ stations and 1000+ bikes in the next year.  In addition, HBS is soon introducing E-Bikes.

You can read the full profile for the Executive Director here.  If you know someone who would be a good candidate for this position, please forward this email.  Interested candidates should apply here. Letters of interest will be received until October 26, 2020. 

Thanks in advance for your continued support in finding great leaders for organizations impacting our city!