You’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.
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