Changes announced Thursday will make Vancouver’s public bike share program more accessible than ever before.
The Mobi by Shaw Go network has been expanded east to Commercial Drive, the minimum age requirement has been reduced from 16 to 12 years old, and a new partnership with Vancity will offer discounted passes to eligible residents.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in people riding bikes in Vancouver and to meet the growing demand we’ve now expanded the Mobi network in East Van all the way to Commercial Drive,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a press release. “We’re also working to make our public bike share system more accessible and affordable, and I’d like to thank Vancity for supporting a new pilot program that will offer discounted passes to eligible residents. This new program will provide another option for people who are looking for affordable, active and sustainable ways to get around our city.”
The Vancity Community Pass is a one-year pilot program aimed at increasing the accessibility and affordability of bike share, with up to 300 “365 Day Plus” passes available at $20 a year (regular price is $159) to eligible individuals and community partners.
“It’s been wonderful to see people embrace cycling as a healthy, convenient and sustainable way to get around the city,” said Tamara Vrooman, Vancity president and CEO. “Supporting the public bike share program to make it more available has been a priority for us and we’re pleased more members of our community will be able to enjoy the many benefits of cycling.”
The pilot program will be reviewed throughout the year until spring 2019 with the hope it will become a permanent part of the public bike share program. To be eligible, residents much show proof of enrollment in the Leisure Access Pass Program, which provides low-income residents with access to basic recreation programs and services at a reduced cost, proof of red Compass Card ownership, or referral from an official community partner.
For more information about the Community Pass program visit www.mobibikes.ca/en/community-pass.
Additionally, Mobi by Shaw Go has reduced the minimum age requirement from 16 years old to 12. A parent or legal guardian is required to purchase the pass and must confirm that any rider 12 to 18 years old meets the minimum height requirement and is capable of safely riding an adult-sized bike.
First launched in the summer of 2016, Vancouver’s public bike share has continued to grow over the last two years with 150 station, more than 1,500 bikes in service, over 900,000 rides and more than 75,000 users.
The initial expansion into East Vancouver to Commercial Drive is now complete, with an additional 25 stations to be installed in the expanded area later this summer.
