Houston’s highly successful B-Cycle program is set to triple in size over the next two years.
The bike-share system that currently includes 31 stations and 225 bikes will add another 71 stations and 568 bikes with money from a federal grant. B-Cycle would move into areas like the city’s major university campuses, the Med Center and other areas inside the 610 Loop that have not yet benefited from bike share.
“The expansion of the B-cycle system will bring bike sharing into new neighborhoods and to new users,” says Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “As I’ve said, we need a paradigm shift in transportation away from single-occupancy motor vehicles. Making cycling more accessible by building a strong bike sharing system is a critical component of that change.”
Houston B-cycle is a membership-driven bike share system. Memberships are available by day, week or year. All members have unlimited access to the bikes for up to 60 minutes per trip. There is a charge of $3 for every additional half hour.
Since January 1, cyclists have made 73,577 trips and traveled 508,044 miles. Houston Bike Share CEO Carter Stern estimates Houstonians are on track to exceed 100,000 trips by the end of 2016.
“Increasing access to bikes provides Houstonians with a sustainable, environmentally-friendly mode of transportation that also improves public health,” says Turner. “These grant funds provide a way to expand access while minimally affecting the city’s budget.”
Click here for a look at how to explore Houston by bike.
Statistics on B-cycle Usage in Houston
Since 2012
300,862 Trips
1,814,028 Miles Traveled
1,719,147 Pounds of Carbon Offset
72,324,567 Calories Burned
In 2015 alone
98,338 Trips
608,345 Miles Traveled
576,082 Pounds of Carbon Offset
24,245,544 Calories Burned
Since January 1, 2016
73,577 Trips
508,044 Miles Traveled
481,272 Pounds of Carbon Offset
20,256,294 Calories Burned