(L to R) President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Andrew Dreyfus joins Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Brookline Select Board Member Heather Hamilton, Mayor of Somerville Joseph Curtatone, CEO of Motivate Jay Walder and Mayor of Cambridge Marc McGovern to celebrate National Bike to Work Day and the launch of Blue Bikes.

In celebration of the new partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and metro Boston’s public bike share system, Blue Cross joined city leaders of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville at the City of Boston’s Bike to Work Day Festival. Blue Cross President & CEO Andrew Dreyfus joined Mayor Martin J. Walsh and other municipal leaders in introducing the newly rebranded and expanded system, Blue Bikes, and highlighting the positive impact the new partnership will have on access to bike sharing for residents of Greater Boston.

The six-year partnership agreement will build on the success of the existing bike share system and greatly expand access in the four municipalities. By the end of 2019, there will be 3,000 Blue Bikes on the streets — up from the 1,800 that exist today — and more than 100 new stations throughout the Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville communities. Blue Cross’s support also will allow for upgrades to the system including new bikes, new mobile app features and more valet service to guarantee bikes at busy stations.

Dozens of commuter convoys originating in towns across Massachusetts descended upon the Bike to Work Day Festival and were treated to breakfast, coffee, music and a bike expo on City Hall Plaza. Blue Bikes representatives were on site to educate cyclists and commuters about the bikes and program membership.