Austin B-cycle introduces low-income memberships

Bike-sharing organization Austin B-cycle is launching a new program, the Austin Bike Share Equity Project, that will make 400 B-cycle memberships available at a discount to low-income Austinites. The annual memberships, available for $5 to Austin residents who make an annual income of $25,000 or less, are made possible by a competitive $50,000 grant from the Better Bike Share Partnership and a $10,000 grant from the Downtown Austin Alliance. B-cycle is also adding three new bike-share stations in low-income areas, thanks to matching grants from the Austin Housing Authority and Foundation Communities. According to an announcement from Austin B-cycle Executive Director Elliott McFadden, “the program is designed to increase the usage of bike share among low-income populations as a low cost, reliable transportation solution.” To celebrate the launch, Austin B-cycle representatives will be joined by Mayor Steve Adler and others this morning, at 9:30 a.m., for a ceremony at Santa Rita Courts, 2406 E. Second St. The location is both home to one of the new bike stations and, according to McFadden’s announcement, “the oldest public housing community in the U.S.”