Bike Share Expansion 2024-2025

Being dense is a good thing

You may hear us talk about the importance of "station density." Basically, we want to be sure bike share stations are not too far apart from each other. More nearby stations also means more places to find a dock or a bike. If a station is full or empty, you’ll be confident there is another one close by for you to use. Studies show that people use bike share more often when stations are close together.

OFF-STREET

When we put stations on sidewalks, we need to be careful to leave at least five feet of clear space for pedestrians, strollers, and people in wheelchairs. If a station can be placed against a building, the sidewalk needs to be at least 11-feet-wide. If the station is along the curb, we will need to offset the station another 1.5 - 3 feet to allow for curbside furniture and the opening of car doors. Most of Boston's bike share stations are located on sidewalks or plazas.

IN-STREET

We can put stations in most places where parked cars could go. Our stations provide parking for 19 bikes in the same space as about three cars. Since stations have a lower physical profile than parked cars, they can be placed near intersections to make it easier for drivers and pedestrians to see each other. On busier streets, we will often orient the station so that people can access the bikes from the sidewalk side. This helps keep everyone safer. 

ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

Sometimes, we can put stations on privately-owned property. These locations need to be publicly-accessible at all times and relatively easy for our crews to service. Most importantly, the land-owners must agree to have our stations on their property and sign legal documents. Some areas that seem to be part of the public sidewalk or public plaza are privately-owned.