Bublr Bike Share is back in downtown Milwaukee. As winter hibernation paves the way to the start of summer, the bike sharing network has unveiled a new, simpler pricing structure and bold plans of expansion throughout the city.
"Forget watching for the groundhog's shadow - with the Bublr Bikes fleet hitting the streets today, you know that summer is truly on the way," Bublr Bikes executive director Kevin Hardman told Biz Times.
Hardman's busiest time of the year has arrived as he shows the lower pricing structure and big plans of expansion in the city. His nonprofit has already bagged nearly $3 million for the project, with a large chunk of this funding coming from more than two dozen private donors.
Bublr Bikes currently owns 10 kiosks across downtown Milwaukee, but Hardman is planning to add 30 new stations and 200 additional bikes to the fleet later this year. The system aims to have 100 stations with 1,000 bicycles in a few years' time.
The pricing has been modified, too. This year, bike rentals are going to cost $3 for every 30 minutes and regular bikers will have the choice to reserve a key fob for $15 a month that will offer unlimited rentals for 60 minutes or less.
As a safer way to commute and a less-polluting option of travel, Bublr bikes have already caught the imagination of climate-conscious commuters. Hardman sees no big issues with the expansion of the program.
"The good news is, around the world there is no large scale issue (with bike share programs)," he said.
Dave Schlabowske, deputy director of the Wisconsin Bike Federation, believes the key factor for Bublr's success is density - and that the program has a bit of work ahead.
"It doesn't cover enough area," Schlabowske said. "The stations need to be within short distances of each other. It should be more of a pedestrian accelerator."
However, the bike-share program has got good response in Milwaukee. In the two months' operation last year, Hardman saw a usage rate similar to that in Minneapolis, where a bike sharing program is in its sixth season, according to Journal Sentinel.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is very upbeat in his views about Bublr. He believes Bublr is a great initiative and people in Milwaukee would accept the service whole-heartedly.
"As warmer weather arrives, yellow daffodils, red tulips and blue Bublrs are certain signs of spring in Milwaukee. Bublr Bikes are a great way to get around Milwaukee. More and more people are discovering the convenience and pleasure of a Bublr ride," Barrett said.