City Receives $1 Million to Implement Electric Bikeshare Program, Rialto, CA, 2021

The City of Rialto has received $1 million to start an electric bikeshare program in the coming year through the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program (CMO). The CMO program is funded through cap-and-trade dollars with California Climate Investments and is administered by Shared-Use Mobility Center in partnership with CALSTART, GRID Alternatives, and the Local Government Commission. Rialto is a small city of about 100,000 residents in San Bernardino County, with about 70% identifying as Hispanic and over half speaking Spanish in their homes. The city has a low per capita income and has experienced chronic air quality issues. With the CMO dollars, the City of Rialto plans on implementing a system with 100 pedal-assist bicycles and 15 docking stations. The Rialto Bike Share Program will also give residents income-based discounts, the ability to participate without a smartphone, and customer service for non-English speakers.

The CMO program is helping Rialto to build a bikeshare program with a significantly larger fleet than originally planned. The Rialto Bike Share Program can do a lot to improve active transportation options in the area while also more broadly improving mobility options for people who might not have easy access to personal vehicles. After the Rialto Bike Share Program begins, it will be important to observe the demand in this program and see if its reach can be expanded.

Last updated July 12, 2021