5 minutes Date Enacted: Jul 8, 2016
Milwaukee’s bikeshare program, Bublr Bikes, launched multiple equity initiatives to increase access to their system. Bublr partnered with the local Boys and Girls Club and local nonprofit DreamBikes to create a bike mechanic certification program which provides local youth a 24-week course in bike repair: 8 weeks are spent at the Boys and Girls Club learning basic bike maintenance, 8 weeks consist of a paid internship at DreamBikes focusing on operations and customer service in a bike shop, and the final 8 weeks are spent as a paid bike mechanic for Bublr’s fleet. Additionally, Bublr has used a $64,000 grant from the Better Bike Share Partnership to work with the Milwaukee Housing Authority to identify barriers to residents’ use of the bikeshare system, discounted annual passes, create a cash payment option, and install stations at Milwaukee Housing Authority Buildings.