Boston and four other municipalities have announced plans with Lyft to integrate 750 next-generation electric bikes into the Bluebikes program while also noting the renewal of Blue Cross’s title sponsorship, which was launched in 2018, through May 2031.

The rollout began with 50 e-bikes hitting the street last week; the additional 700 will join the fleet in the new year. 

The new agreement between Blue Cross and the municipal owners further cements a public-private partnership for urban transportation. Blue Cross will continue its commitment to promoting the well-being of Massachusetts residents by supporting initiatives including station expansions, system enhancements, and the integration of e-bikes.

“Today marks an exciting milestone as we usher in the next wave of transportation in Greater Boston with the introduction of state-of-the-art e-bikes,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. “Partnerships such as our Bluebikes alliance with Blue Cross are crucial in ensuring our residents have access to healthier, more sustainable, and affordable transportation options. We look forward to continued collaboration with Blue Cross and all our municipal partners as we elevate our bike share system.”

The addition of e-bikes is expected to grow the overall Bluebikes fleet to 5,000 bikes across 500 stations by next summer. Funding for the initial purchase of the e-bikes came from a combination of municipal investment from Boston and Cambridge, state funding, federal funding by the Boston Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and support from Blue Cross’s sponsorship of the bikeshare system.

Together, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Blue Cross will provide support for affordable user costs of e-bikes for Bluebikes members.
 
Lyft’s e-bike features a long-lasting battery with a 60-mile range, a user-friendly interface LCD screen, a smoother ride, and numerous safety upgrades. Massachusetts legalized Class 1 e-bikes, which have no throttle and a maximum speed of 20 mph, as part of the Transportation Bond Bill last year. Unlike traditional pedal bikes, e-bikes aren’t permitted on sidewalks, but they can be used on shared paths and bike lanes. Riders must follow all traffic laws and regulations, bike in the same direction of traffic except on specially marked street, always yield to pedestrians, and maintain safe speeds.

The municipal owners have prioritized access and affordability for the new Bluebikes e-bikes, which will be available at $0.10 per minute for Bluebikes members, $0.25 per minute for Adventure Pass holders, and $0.07 per minute for low-income residents enrolled in Bluebikes’ Income-Eligible Program.

Earlier this year, Boston also announced the Boston Bikes Pass, which is a Bluebikes membership offered only to City of Boston residents at a reduced annual cost of $60.