Hubway Trades Green For Blue Bikes

BOSTON, MA — The green Hubway bikes that you've come to know start that serious makeover we mentioned before today. This month you'll start seeing less of Oscar the Grouch, and more Grover - or Cookie Monster, if we're associating the friendly bike share bikes with Muppets.

The transition to "Blue Bikes" is now officially underway, with the first batch of new bikes rolling onto streets today. All bikes, stations, web pages, and the mobile app will reflect the new Blue Bikes branding by May 16. And folks interested in taking the new bikes (with new features) should look for a special freebie on the app.

The new Blue Bikes are hitting the streets of Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville, as part of the Metro Boston public bike share system’s new partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The six-year agreement between Blue Cross and the Hubway system includes a plan to expand the bike share in the four municipalities. Blue Cross’s support also will allow for upgrades to the system overall, including new bikes, new mobile app features, and more valet service to guarantee bikes at busy stations.

As part of the sponsorship, the existing system is being rebranded as Blue Bikes, reflecting Blue Cross’s support for the bike share system, which will continue to be a municipally-owned, public transportation system and to be operated by Motivate International, Inc. By the end of 2019, there will be 3,000 Blue Bikes on the streets — up from the 1,800 that exist today — and more than 100 new stations throughout the four municipalities, according to the folks at Hubway er Blue Bikes.

“We think riders will be pleased with the improvements they’ll see, and we hope to encourage new users to take a Blue Bike for a spin to school or work," said Andrew Dreyfus, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in a release. "We’re proud to help expand bike share access across the metro region, since it aligns with our mission to help residents of the Commonwealth lead healthy lives.”

Features of the new Blue Bikes include:
● Longer seat post, allowing for a range that fits most U.S. adults
● Better handlebar grips
● Something called the "infinity shifter," which allows for continuous shifting across a wider range of gears

Did someone say cookie freebie?
For a limited time, as part of the Blue Bikes launch, riders can save $15 on an annual membership. And, for the first time, riders will now have the option of purchasing a single ride fare for $2.50. To celebrate the launch of Blue Bikes and National Bike to Work Day, Blue Cross will sponsor a “Free Ride Day” on Friday, May 18, to encourage new users to take the bikes for a free spin. To participate, open the Blue Bikes app on a mobile device and select “Free Day Pass.”

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Previously on Patch

Blue Bikes Coming Soon

Boston Metro Hubway Expands Income-Eligibility For Bike Share

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Photo of a rider in Back Bay by Jenna Fisher/Patch