Skip to content

Boston Cyclists Union to Offer Deeply Subsidized Bluebikes Passes

The Boston Cyclists Union, with financial support from Boston's Wagner Foundation, will offer limited-income applicants annual Bluebikes passes for just $5 – a 95 percent discount from the typical price of an annual pass.
A row of blue 5 Bluebikes bicycles parked at a station, seen from the side.
Bluebikes docked at South Station in downtown Boston.

As interest in bicycling surges during the pandemic, the Boston Cyclists Union is launching a program to give more lower-income individuals access to the region’s bikesharing network.

The Boston Cyclists Union (BCU), with financial support from Boston’s Wagner Foundation, will offer limited-income applicants annual Bluebikes passes for just $5 – a 95 percent discount from the typical price of an annual pass.

“The Boston Cyclist Union believes that everyone who wants to bike should be able to do so, but we also know the cost of owning a bike or buying a bike-share pass is a barrier for many people,” said Eliza Parad, interim executive director of the BCU, in a press announcement for the new program. “Through this partnership, we’re looking forward to providing increased access to bikes, particularly for those who can’t afford cars and want to try biking or increasing how often they bike during this public health crisis”.

Bluebikes already offers a discounted annual pass program for income-eligible participants, but at $50 a year, the cost may still be out of reach to many potential riders – especially at a time of widespread unemployment. BCU hopes that the new, deeply subsidized passes will increase transportation equity and give more people access to a mode of travel that’s well-suited to physical distancing.

Potential applicants can apply for the BCU’s program by visiting bostoncyclistsunion.org/bluebikes.

Photo of Christian MilNeil
Christian has edited StreetsblogMASS since its founding in spring 2019. Before that, he was a data reporter for the Portland Press Herald in Maine. Got tips? Send them to me via Signal, the encrypted messaging app, at 207-310-0728.

Read More:

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog Massachusetts

Closing the Gaps: New State Funding Allows for New Transit, Bikesharing Connections Across Massachusetts

June 18, 2026

Cambridge Pedestrianizes A Harvard Square Block, With More Car-Free Spaces In Consideration

June 18, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines Go Green, Save Green

June 18, 2026

Mayor Wu Vetoes City Council’s Proposed Transportation Department Layoffs

June 17, 2026

Globe/Suffolk Poll Confirms That Fewer Drivers Would Clog City’s Roadways If Boston Had Congestion Pricing

June 17, 2026
See all posts