Houston’s Only Bike-Share Service Ends This Weekend

HOUSTON (KIAH) – Houston BCycle, the bike share system, is coming to an end after 12 years in business. The organization announced that it would cease its activities as of June 30. Initially launched in 2012 with 100 bikes and 10 stations, the system expanded to more than 1,100 bikes and 124 stations in 2020.

The service grew with support from the City of Houston, as well as funding from federal and local organizations such as the Transportation Improvement Program and the Council District Service Funds. However, despite this support, the system will be interrupted this weekend due to financial difficulties.

“Bike share systems across the United States have experienced similar challenges and Houston’s has outlasted many others, but we have learned that effective systems that serve more than recreational purposes require the support businesses and the public to remain viable. »

Jennifer OstlindActing Director of the Department of Planning and Development.

The City of Houston will work with Houston Bike Share to remove stations and bikes over the coming months.

Houston owns most of the equipment and will sell it to other bike share systems or auction it through the public surplus process to recoup transition funding.