Bikeshare Program Launches in Ithaca, NY, 2022

The Center for Community Transportation (CCT), a non-profit organization, is launching an electric and dockless bikeshare program called Ithaca Bikeshare. All bicycles in Ithaca Bikeshare are Class 1 pedal-assist electric bicycles that can operate up to 16 miles per hour. Customers, using a smartphone app, can borrow the bikes at the following rates:

• Pay as you go: $1 plus $0.15 per minute.
• Day pass: $20 per day, which allows for unlimited rides up to a sum of four hours. Rides over the four-hour allowance cost an extra $0.15 per minute.
• Monthly membership: $45 per month, which allows for unlimited rides up to a sum of two hours per day. Rides over the two-hour allowance cost an extra $0.15 per minute.
• Annual membership: $150 per year, which allows for unlimited rides up to a sum of one hour per day. Rides over the one-hour allowance cost an extra $0.15 per minute.

Customers with incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for discounted rates through GO ITHACA’s Easy Access program. As an incentive, customers can also receive a $1 credit if they return the bicycles to designated hub locations. Drop Mobility provides software and maintenance support for Ithaca Bikeshare. CCT is hoping to grow the fleet for Ithaca Bikeshare; the initial fleet is small due to its start coinciding with the transition into the winter season.

The City of Ithaca is funding the upstart of Ithaca Bikeshare with $50,000 sourced through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. CCT has also raised an additional $140,000 from private sources to support Ithaca Bikeshare. Overall, CCT plans on raising $750,000 to support the growth, maintenance, and operations of Ithaca Bikeshare. Ithaca Bikeshare is the second bikeshare system serving Ithaca after Lime discontinued its service in the area in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a non-profit bikeshare system, Ithaca Bikeshare can hopefully operate as a long-term fixture in Ithaca’s transportation system.

Last updated December 20, 2022