Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

DC to Provide Low-Cost Bike-Share Passes for Low-Income Residents

Cities all over the country have been experimenting with ways to make bike-share service accessible to people who don't have a credit card and about $100 to drop all at once on an annual membership.

Dr. James Huang, left, shows off the helmets that will be provided as part of D.C.'s new Community Partners Program, offering discounted bike share memberships to low-income people. Photo: Unity Health Care
Dr. James Huang, left, shows off the helmets that will be provided as part of D.C.'s new program offering discounted bike-share memberships to low-income residents. Photo: Unity Health Care
false

In the last few years, Boston and Chicago both started offering $5 annual memberships for low-income residents. Edward Russell at Greater Greater Washington reports that D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare is the next system to make membership nearly free. Here's how it will work:

If you qualify for need-based services in the District, you can now get a year-long Capital Bikeshare membership for $5 rather than the regular $85 fee. DC's Department of Transportation hopes the initiative will encourage more people to use bikeshare and make transportation more accessible for the District's less affluent residents.

The new Capital Bikeshare Community Partners Program offers qualifying residents significant savings off the regular annual membership fee, as well as a free helmet and introduction to the system.

In addition to the savings, members in the program will also be able to use a bike for 60 minutes instead of the normal 30 minutes before incurring additional ride fees.

In Boston, Hubway's discount bike-share program is the national leader, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials. Hubway conducted extensive outreach for the program, and about 18 percent of its annual users subscribe.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Seattle Transit Blog reports that the light rail line with the highest projected ridership in Seattle's new $50 billion expansion proposal won't be complete for 22 years. Bike Pittsburgh publishes survey results that indicate local schoolchildren overwhelmingly support bike infrastructure. And the Wash Cycle marks the opening of D.C.'s new bus-only lanes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

Goodbye Transit Month, hello Walktober!

October 1, 2025

Testing the MASCOTS Plan During the Week Without Driving

Abby Arnold returns with her second (annual?) series chronicling a Week Without Driving.

September 30, 2025

Q&A: Rebecca Saltzman and her New Role at Bike East Bay

Transit advocate, bike advocate, former BART director, El Cerrito City Council... Bike East Bay's new leader has done some of everything in the world of safe and livable streets.

September 30, 2025

Last Chance for Input on La Puente’s Housing Element Update

Take the survey: building rule changes allow for faster home development, including on church grounds, commercially zoned land, and to replace lost affordable housing.

September 30, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

As October is nigh, attention begins to drift away from Sacramento for now...

September 30, 2025

More Transit Means Safer Streets

Promoting transit isn't just a social good. It's also a tool to achieve Vision Zero.

September 29, 2025
See all posts