Reddy Bikeshare, in partnership with Independent Health, has launched its 10th bikeshare season – a milestone that comes on the heels of a record-breaking 2024 season. It also marks 10 years of building a culture around health and active transportation in Western New York.
Shared Mobility Inc., the Buffalo-based non-profit organization that operates the bikeshare network, began deploying Reddy Bikes, and Reddy+ Bikes last week, days before the official start of Spring. Reddy+ Bikes are pedal-assist e-bikes first introduced into the fleet in Fall 2023, and users can find them in real-time with the “SoBi” smartphone app.
Last year, residents and visitors of Buffalo-Niagara logged 73,435 trips and pedaled 121,879 miles, an increase of 41% and 13% from their previous records, respectively. The calories burned last year added up to 40,525 chicken wings. The steady rise in bikeshare usage in Western New York reflects a wider trend across North America, with a record-shattering 102 million bikeshare trips logged in 2023, which is the most recent year of data complied by the North America Bikeshare & Scootershare Association. The Reddy Team expects Reddy Bikeshare usage this year to reach new heights thanks to the addition of more bikeshare stations, Reddy+ Bikes, bike lanes and bike paths across Buffalo-Niagara.
“The love for biking in Western New York has grown, and still growing strong,” said Simon Husted, Reddy’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator. “The statistics reveal that, and so does the fact that Buffalo is home to one of the longest running bikeshare programs in the nation.”
History of the program
Before Reddy Bikeshare, Shared Mobility Inc. launched Buffalo BikeShare in 2012, a program piloting GPS-equipped smart bikes across parts of the city of Buffalo and SUNY Buffalo. It was the first pilot program involving smart bikes, a technology that has gone on to transform bikeshare worldwide.
In 2016, Independent Health partnered with Shared Mobility Inc. to launch Reddy Bikeshare, deploying 200 GPS-equipped bikes across 35 stations in Buffalo. The bikeshare fleet nearly doubled in size when Reddy expanded in Niagara Falls in 2019. Reddy Bikeshare is now working to increase the size of its Reddy+ fleet to at least 150 e-bikes and add more stations.
“The expansion and popularity of the Reddy Bikeshare program has exceeded all our expectations, and we are proud to make this healthy, environmentally sustainable, community-friendly transportation option available to Western New Yorkers and visitors to our region,” said Kathy Glieco, vice president of marketing at Independent Health. “As we enter the 10th season, research continues to demonstrate that cycling and ‘active commuting’ by bicycle is a major contributor to enhancing a region’s livability and overall health. With strong local roots, Independent Health remains deeply committed to the health and vibrancy of Western New York, and programs like Reddy Bikeshare have a direct and positive impact on improving the health and wellbeing of our community.”
An inexpensive way to get around
Affordability remains a cornerstone of Reddy Bikeshare’s mission. Despite rising operational costs, the program continues to offer access to bikes at rates as low as a penny per minute, thanks to the support of partners like Independent Health. The addition of e-bikes provides more options for riders seeking an extra boost, with annual pass members enjoying e-bike access at $0.10 per minute. The rates position Reddy+ as one of the lowest cost options to riding an e-bike. In addition, all Independent Health members can save 20% on annual passes and eligible members can use their Health ExtrasSM card to cover the cost. The discount code can be found on Independent Health’s Wellness Discounts page.
How to use a Reddy bike
- Sign up – Visit Google Play or the App Store to download the Social Bicycles (SoBi) app for free on your mobile device, or on the web. Then choose your pass to get started. Ensure that your phone’s GPS/Location Services are enabled to find available bikes nearby.
- Reserve a bike – Use the app to reserve a bike or scan the QR code on the back of the bike using the SoBi app to unlock. Remember to ride safely and obey all traffic laws.
- Enjoy your time – You can make multiple stops during your ride without a parking fee. Press the “HOLD” button or in the SoBi app and lock the bike to a rack.
- Lock – When you reach your destination, lock the bike and check your SoBi app to ensure your trip has ended.
In honor of hitting 10 seasons of bikeshare, Western New Yorkers who pedal 10 or more miles on a Reddy bike will earn a limited-edition T-shirt that will be unveiled at the beginning of National Bike Month in May. For more information, visit the Reddy Bikeshare website.
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