Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Newburyport has unveiled a new bike share pilot program for Bay Staters.
Managed by Newburyport Livable Streets in association with the Mayor's office and the Department of Public Services, the program plans to install five bike stations in downtown Newburyport, MBTA, Commuter Rail station and other locations near the rail trail.
Gabriel Bernardo and his wife are already having way too much fun after renting a bike at the first open station located at Waterfront Promenade Park.
"We don't have bikes and so I think this is a cool way for us to get on one. Yeah and it's especially in these like months when it starts getting the winter cooler months, the maintenance and stuff for your bikes, it's kind of nice to have the option to rent one and then not really have to maintain it."
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Cyclists need a smartphone to unlock the bikes and $3 for 30 minutes or $30 for a monthly membership. While some residents appreciate the program, they don't plan on using it.
"I would be more interested in renting an electric bike for say a half day or a day and I'm not sure these are the types of bikes that would suit my needs but I think it's cool," Teresa said.
The pilot program is being funded by federal and non-profit grants from the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation, the Coastal Trails Coalition, the Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The city hopes to have a total of 48 bikes and nine stations by 2027.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.