Bicycles built for many

Bike sharing systems provide automated rentals of bicycles for short point to point trips in urban centers around the world. The systems revolve around networks of distributed docking stations, at which users can purchase a rental pass, unlock bikes for their trip and dock bikes at their destination.

Originally a European concept, there are currently over 55 bike share systems in the U.S., with a total of 42,000 bikes in operation. Because bikes are securely locked at docking stations, customers are not liable for the bike after their ride.

Total cost for bike-share system implementation is around $5,000 per bike. From the perspective of cities, bike share systems are appealing to implement because they can reduce congestion, increase the reach of public transit and promote public health.

Launched in 2011, Hubway is government owned and operates year round in four municipalities: Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville. As of 2017, the system includes 180 stations with 1800 bikes. Hubway logged over 1.3 million trips in 2017.

Hubway classifies users as causual or members. Casual users are those who purchase passes ($8 or $15) at the docking station for short term immediate use. Members pay a monthly ($20) or annual ($99) fee and use keys to unlock bikes. As of 2017, Hubway had 15,000 members.

Recent initiatives at Hubway include its own cell phone app, which shows real time bicycle availability at all docking stations and allows bike unlocking, as well as a discount pass program for people making a certain annual income to increase access to the system across the service area.

Hubway is intended for the daily commuting workforce, students and tourists. These users share the following needs:

• Short distance transportation, planned or spontaneous

Lots of travel in urban centers consists of relatively short distance trips; examples include commutes from home to work, "last mile" travel to or from a public transit station or running to the grocery store.

• Convenient, safe and affordable transport options

From gas prices to parking logistics to traffic, car ownership is expensive in the city. Viable replacement options need to be less expensive but still retain the convenience of transport on-demand.

• Environmentally friendly and health conscious transport

Alternative transport options that reduce carbon footprints and provide health benefits are appealing to the environmentally conscious population.