Dockless Bike-Share Coming To Arlington This Month

ARLINGTON, MA – Dockless bike sharing will launch in Arlington this month, town officials said. The program will be part of a regional system of 15 communities, which includes Belmont, Medford, Watertown and Malden (see map below).

"We are pleased to see more opportunities for active transportation become available to cities and towns across the region. This regional dockless bike share system will provide a new mobility option for Arlington residents as well as enhance connections to transit," Marc Draisen, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, said in a statement.

Dockless bike sharing vendor Lime will introduce 150 bikes to Arlington on June 28. The town will host an official "unlocking" and celebratory ride with local officials, including Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, June 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Medford Street.

"Dockless bike sharing brings another transportation option to residents that offers both convenience and a method to reduce one’s carbon footprint," Chapdelaine said in a statement. As this new program grows we hope to find cost-efficient means to expand the region."

The regional system is being coordinated by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which has a one-year agreement with vendor Lime with the possibility of extending the contract. Lime bikes will initially be stationed at a handful of hot spots around town starting June 28.

Riders use a mobile app to locate the bike closest to them, unlock it and pay for it. Trip data will be monitored to improve the convenience of hot spots, as appropriate.

Additional vendors will be announced when available.

Learn how Lime works: https://www.limebike.com/how-to-lime. The free Lime mobile app can be downloaded from the GooglePlay store or the Apple App Store.

Photo by Tim Moran, Patch