The Metro-Boston public bike share system, Hubway, is now available at a significant discount to income-eligible families and individuals. The City of Somerville along with Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, the Department of Transitional Assistance, and bike share operator Motivate announced earlier this month the launch of the “SNAP Card to Ride” program.

“SNAP Card to Ride” provides $5 monthly memberships and $50 annual memberships to individuals over the age of 16 with their household SNAP/EBT card. The membership includes unlimited 60-minute trips.

The program is part of an ongoing commitment to improve bike share access among all populations. Residents who do not receive SNAP benefits, but participate in other public assistance programs, will be able to access the discounted membership program in the near future and sign up in person with City staff this spring.

“Riding a bicycle can be one of the most cost effective ways to get around an urban environment like Somerville, and this initiative will bring needed equity to bike sharing at an important time,” said Mayor Joe Curtatone. “In 2018, we will be opening nine new Hubway stations and two miles of protected, low-stress bike lanes to give more residents a better opportunity to travel throughout Somerville – and beyond – by bike. SNAP Card to Ride will help more residents benefit from this investment.”

Convenient, easy online registration is available for EBT card holders at thehubway.com/SNAP/. After completing registration, members will have access to more than 1,800 bikes at 194 stations across the four municipalities. Members with smartphone access can use the Hubway mobile app to locate and unlock bikes.

“During the Go Boston 2030 planning process, Boston residents shared their desire for a more reliable, equitable and accessible transportation system, which includes our increasingly popular bike share system,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “The City of Boston is pleased to be part of the SNAP Card to Ride partnership, and we look forward to increasing the number of stations and bikes in Boston over the next 18 months.”

“Hubway has evolved to become an invaluable tool for facilitating active transportation for people that live and work in the greater Boston region,” said Chair of the Brookline Select Board, Neil Wishinsky. “We are excited that the SNAP Card to Ride program will make bike share more accessible so everyone has the opportunity to utilize this great resource.”

“Cambridge residents, commuters, and visitors benefit from the Hubway system, and this program is an essential way to ensure that every member of our community has access to this great transportation resource,” said Louis A. DePasquale, Cambridge City Manager. “We look forward to continuing to work with our municipal partners in promoting cost-effective, sustainable transportation throughout the Metro Boston region.”

“Hubway shows that bike share is fulfilling its promise as a vital part of the Boston area’s transportation network — increasing access to the region’s existing transit network as well as communities underserved by public transit,” said Jay H. Walder, CEO & President of Motivate, operators of Hubway. “We are eager to continue to help grow a system that has truly served as an inspiration for a whole generation of bike share programs across the nation.”

Winter riding is available in all four municipalities for the first time this year, following several years of winter operations in the City of Cambridge. Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville announced major expansion of the publicly owned system. Collectively, they will add more than 100 new stations in 2018 and 2019, providing more than 300 stations and approximately 3000 bicycles for public use.

The Hubway system is regional public transportation by bike, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville and operated by Motivate, a national leader in bike share. With more than 190 stations and 1800 bikes, the system has more than 15,000 members across the region. Since launching in July 2011, the riders have taken more than 6.5 million trips. More information about the system, including station locations, can be found at thehubway.com.

— City of Somerville