Planning & Development

Press Release

October 19, 2022 -- In recognition of the 10th anniversary of Houston Bike Share and Houston BCycle, Houston City Council recognized the nonprofit organization’s service to bike riders across the city with an official proclamation at the Oct. 18 City Council meeting.

The city’s bike share organization and program started in 2012 with just three stations downtown and 18 bikes. Today, Houston Bike Share operates Houston BCycle with more than 150 stations across Houston and more than 1,100 bikes, including a growing fleet of the popular electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes).

Based on data collected by the Bike Share system’s software, in 10 years of service, Houstonians have taken 1.6 million bike trips, riding 9.6 million miles, burning 381 million calories and creating 9.068 pounds of carbon offset.

"The BCycle program has uplifted communities across our city by giving residents access to Houston’s growing bike share system at over 150 stations and the ability to explore our neighborhoods in a fun and engaging way! I am a proud supporter of the program and have worked to expand the program and bring stations to more communities in District I," said Council Member Robert Gallegos.

The BCycle bike share system has grown steadily over the years, thanks largely to support from the City of Houston in obtaining grant funding from the Texas Department of Transportation as well as support from Harris County Precinct One. Bike share has seen tremendous growth every year since its founding, growing more than 700% in the last five years. BCycle's popularity grew in 2020 as residents increasingly sought outdoor recreation during pandemic lockdowns.

“The success of the Houston BCycle program is cause for celebration and a great source of pride for the City, and would not be possible without Houston Bike Share,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The City of Houston is committed to making Houston more walkable and connected to biking and transit, and the availability of these bike stations across the city, including 24 in Complete Communities, furthers that commitment and supports our goal to provide equity and accessible multimodal transportation options.”

The expansion of Houston Bike Plan and bike share availability have grown in tandem, contributing to more Houstonians riding bikes. Ridership and rider safety continues to increase as bike infrastructure is strengthened with multimodal street design, high-comfort bike lanes and marked routes. The safer a bike rider feels, the more they’ll get out on a bike.

“Houston has all of the right elements for a bike-friendly lifestyle: environmentally, economically, and socially,” said Houston Bike Share Board Chair Maya Ford. “Houston BCycle has been a safe, affordable, and smart way to keep Houston rollin' for 10 years because of our shared efforts with our leaders and riders. Let's keep rollin' for another decade.”

ABOUT HOUSTON BCYCLE
Houston BCycle is Houston’s non-profit bike share organization that gets people where they need to go, whether it’s for fun, exercise, or a commute to work or school. Houston BCycle envisions a Houston where everyone has access to a bike and do our part by growing the BCycle network in neighborhoods across central Houston. For as little as 22 cents a day, anyone can check out a bike at any of the 150+ stations, ride to any other station or return to the start. BCycles are available 24/7/365 in connected neighborhood networks including parks, college campuses, grocery stores, and restaurants. Use the Houston BCycle app for easy and touchless check-out and to plan your ride with marked bike routes. Follow @HoustonBCycle and visit  www.houstonbcycle.com.

ABOUT HOUSTON BIKE PLAN
Almost 1,800 miles of high-comfort bikeways are planned for the City of Houston. Explore the full network guiding the implementation of the Houston Bike Plan, including the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). Attend a BAC public meeting to get involved. Follow @HoustonBikePlan and visit the Houston Bike Plan.