Blue BikeYou’ve seen them all around the city, and according to the statistics, you may have ridden one. Bluebikes, originally called Hubway, is a popular bicycle-sharing system that recently surpassed a record 25 million rides throughout the state.
Founded in 2011 as Hubway, Bluebikes were introduced to Massachusetts in 2018 when the company partnered with its sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Now, there are Bluebike stands all around the commonwealth. Since starting with four bike stands in four cities, the mass transportation system has expanded to 13 cities across the state, including Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Medford, Malden, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville and Watertown.
“Bluebikes has transformed how our residents navigate the city, providing a healthier and more sustainable transportation option,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with Blue Cross and our shared commitment to making biking safe, accessible and affordable for everyone in Greater Boston.”
Bluebikes now boasts expanded reach, with more than 300 bike stations housing 4,500 bikes currently in circulation throughout the state.
Since its launch in 2011, Bluebikes’ ridership has grown exponentially, with the company logging over 56 million miles in rides and expanding from serving only four to 13 total municipalities throughout the state.
Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public
affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, said he is proud of
the Bluebikes program’s growth and what it has been able to accomplish.
“As
we celebrate 25 million rides, we’re proud of the role Bluebikes has
played in promoting healthier, more active lifestyles. Our partnership
with municipal leaders has been crucial to expanding the system and
making biking accessible to more people,” said Bellows. “Biking offers
both physical and mental health benefits, and we’re committed to
ensuring that these benefits are available to all residents,
particularly in underserved communities.”
The milestone of 25 million rides is a testament to the impact Bluebikes have had on Massachusetts residents. Not only has the
company provided reliable alternative public transportation, but has
perpetuated an effective health and wellness initiative encouraging
people to incorporate physical activity into their morning commutes.
Since
partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield in 2018, Bluebikes has increased
bike circulation by 200% and the number of stations by 150% in order to
improve the efficiency of the bikes for riders across Boston and
contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by encouraging riders to
get on a bike rather than drive a personal vehicle or even take the
bus.
According to Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the benefits of biking or are plentiful.
“Health
benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger muscles,
greater coordination and general mobility, and reduced body fat. As with
other types of exercise, it can also help improve mental health by
lowering stress levels and stimulating feel-good endorphins,” according
to the T.H. Chan website.
Cycling
also can decrease the risk of chronic diseases by 50% and reduce stress
levels by up to 32%, according to the World Health Organization.
In
honor of Bluebikes having provided more than 25 million rides to
Massachusetts residents, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts offered
riders a short-term credit of $25 on Oct. 2, as well as discounts for
annual memberships through the end of the year, to increase access to
health and wellness tools and support well-being across the
commonwealth.