Madison BCycle: Announces limited winter bike share operations

Media Contact
Martha Laugen
martha.laugen@madisonbcycle.com
608.515.8853

Select network stations will stay in service during winter months

(Madison, WI) – Madison BCycle announces the debut of limited winter service, starting Monday December 14. The city’s bike share system, which previously closed all operations mid-December through mid-March, will pilot full-year service to a limited network of stations throughout Madison.

“There is such a vibrant winter biking culture here in Madison,” notes Madison BCycle City Manager Martha Laugen, “As we aim to play a key role in city transit, piloting year-round service was a natural next step.”

Madison BCycle will keep services running within a limited network of stations during regular operating hours (5am – midnight, daily). Stations included in the winter plan are located at East Wilson and Martin Luther King Boulevard, Williamson and Few Streets, West Washington and Regent, University Avenue and Lake Street, the UW Natatorium Gym and Union South. Other stations in the network will either be removed or closed in place to facilitate snow removal by the city and private property owners.

“We planned carefully in collaboration with the City of Madison and the UW Madison to map out a network of stations that would serve riders during winter months while respecting the hard work of public and private crews managing snow removal throughout the community,” says Laugen. “As we observe rider patterns and continue to work with local partners, we hope to see winter service grow in future seasons.”

Madison BCycle will suspend winter operations in sync with declared City of Madison snow emergencies and in conditions deemed unsafe for bike share use. Staff will use social media, including its Facebook and Twitter forums, as well as its website – madisonbcycle.com – to keep riders apprised of weather-related changes to service throughout the winter months. Full system operations will resume in mid-March, 2016, per the bike share’s operating agreement with the city.

“BCycle has been a great partner for the city, its residents and visitors and I am pleased that Madison will be home to limited winter operations for the service,” said Mayor Paul Soglin. “We know our winter weather can be fickle, but with flexibility on the part of BCycle, our city staff and BCycle customers, we look forward to a year-long partnership.”

Further information on winter bike share operations as well as pricing and membership options can be found at MadisonBCycle.com.
Click here for membership details and a bike share system map.