MassDOT Grant to Bring Electric Bluebikes to Salem

Mayor Dominick Pangallo is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Shared Streets and Spaces grant program has awarded Salem $250,000 to purchase e-bikes and fund the continued operation of Bluebikes in Salem. The pedal-assist electric bicycles will be available to ride at Bluebikes stations throughout Salem beginning spring 2025.

Metro Boston's public bikeshare program since 2011, Bluebikes launched in Salem in 2021 after the operator of Salem's previous bikeshare program ceased operations during the pandemic. Since 2021, Salem's Bluebikes network has expanded to 18 stations at key destinations and throughout Salem's neighborhoods and logged over 30,000 rides. A system map and instructions for riding are available at bluebikes.com. A discounted membership is available for income-eligible riders.

Pedal-assist e-bikes have proven popular in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, and Brookline where Bluebikes deployed them starting last December. While occasionally stray e-bikes have made their way to Salem, Bluebikes is required to return them to the communities that have purchased them. The Shared Streets & Spaces grant funding will allow Salem to maintain its own dedicated fleet of 20 e-bikes on top of its approximately 100 pedal bikes.

"I am grateful for this grant funding to expand the Bluebikes fleet and continue the program as an affordable and convenient way for residents, students, employees, and visitors to get around Salem." Mayor Pangallo said, "Bluebikes supports the local economy by allowing people to reach local shops and restaurants regardless of car traffic and limited car parking. In addition to our expanding multiuse path network, the Salem Ferry, Salem Skipper, the commuter rail and MBTA services, the bikeshare advances our community's goal to reduce the carbon footprint of our transportation sector. I look forward to the addition of e-bikes broadening the appeal of the bikeshare program."

In addition to securing this new funding for the Bluebikes program, the City has now made it easier than ever to park a personal bicycle in Salem. The City's Public Works and Parking Staff recently deployed 37 new public bike racks throughout the city.

The deployment includes 17 new bike racks affixed to parking meter poles throughout the downtown area. These meter racks add bike storage using existing infrastructure close to shops, restaurants, and other destinations without taking up additional space on busy downtown sidewalks. In addition, another 20 stand-alone racks were installed on sidewalks on Bridge Street neck, North Street, and Church Street.

Mayor Pangallo said, "These new public bike racks make biking more convenient in Salem. I'm grateful the work of our DPS and Parking crews as well for the for the Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Group's advocacy for these transportation amenities that benefit the community."