Rainbow-Themed Bluebikes Roll Out Across MA To Celebrate Pride Month

SALEM, MA — A ride around town can be a show of Pride and support for the LGBTQIA+ community this month as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts rolls out 100 rainbow-themed Bluebikes across its partner communities in Greater Boston.

The Proud bikes will be available across the Bluebikes system's 13 municipalities — Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville and Watertown. Blue Cross is the sponsor of Bluebikes, which is owned by the municipalities and operated by Lyft.

Blue Cross will also donate $1 for every ride taken on a Proud bike in June — up to $10,000 — to Fenway Health in Boston, which works to enhance the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities through innovative, equitable, and accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education.

"At Blue Cross, we remain committed to contributing towards a more equitable health care system for all," said Jeff Bellows, Blue Cross' vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs. "We look forward to seeing our Proud bikes in the Bluebikes system for the fourth year in a row, enabling our local communities to come together to raise awareness for LGBTQIA+ rights while also supporting Fenway Health’s mission through their fundraising program."

As the operator of the system, Lyft will also contribute $1 per ride after the 10,000th ride.

"We’re thrilled to collaborate with Blue Cross this Pride Month once again to help bring awareness to the disparities in health care for LGBTQIA+ individuals," said Dom Tribone, Lyft General Manager for Bluebikes. "This Bluebikes initiative aims to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ health issues while highlighting the crucial support offered by Fenway Health, and we're proud to help amplify their goals."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)