Bike Share Program to Kick Off Tuesday

The first of four bike sharing stations planned for the South End was installed this week in front of the South End Branch Library, signalling the beginning of a city-wide program offering convenient bike rentals for residents.

The station, which stretches along the brick portion of Tremont Street, consists of a bicycle rack with space for 15 bicycles attached to a solar-powered touch screen kiosk where members can swipe cards to rent bicycles. The program, known as Hubway, will cost about $5 a day, with free trips that are 30 minutes or less, and $85 annual memberships.

Bicycles will be arriving in the station by Tuesday of next week, said Nicole Freedman, director of bicycle programs for the city. Once they arrive, the kiosk will be open for business.

In addition to the South End Branch Library station, residents will be able to rent bikes from a station on Mass Ave. near the Boston Medical Center and from a kiosk at the intersection of Washington and Rutland streets.

A fourth station, originally planned for the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza, will likely be placed at the intersection of Tremont and Milford streets, Freedman said. The original location was scrapped after neighboring establishments complained that adding a bike koisk to the plaza could make an already-busy area unsafe during evening hours.

The 41-foot-long stations are not permanent structures, and can be moved if necessary. They will be removed every winter, Freedman said at a South End Landmarks District Commission meeting last month.

Next Tuesday, bicyclists will ride the silver hubway bikes to their stations as part of an inaugural ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at City Hall. A ribbon cutting and speech by Mayor Menino will commence at 12:15 p.m.

Click here for more information on the program or to become a Hubway member.