🔒Hartford embraces LimeBikes as urban-transportation option

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Darin Rees would love to see the streets of Hartford turn green.

He's the Hartford operations manager for Lime, the San Mateo, Calif.-based bikeshare company that has put 400 of its lime-green bicycles known as LimeBikes on the city's roadways since it officially arrived here June 6.

Hartford denizens' seeming embrace of the short-term rental bikes eclipsed the company's expectations, Rees said, with nearly 40,000 rides recorded during the first three months. And while many riders in the first few weeks appeared to be using them for fun, Rees said the bikes are appealing to a more sustainable group: business professionals and other laborers.

“My team and I are noticing that a lot more people are riding them to work,” Rees said. “As far as a transportation (source) … whether it be the grocery store, or to work, I think it's only going to grow.”

In June, Hartford became the second New England city — after Malden, Mass. — with an active LimeBike program, Rees said. Since then, about six other communities surrounding Boston joined the ranks of approximately 60 communities that have embraced the company, which the Wall Street Journal reported in June to have a $1-billion valuation.

Rees declined to say how much revenue Lime has recorded in Hartford so far, but it charges $1 per half-hour ride for most customers.

The two-year pilot program in Hartford originally called for 300 bikes, but 100 were added in late June due to popular demand.

Heading to a meeting

Anthony Cherolis, who heads BiCi Co. @ Center for Latino Progress, which provides programs encouraging safe cycling in Hartford, said he recently rode a LimeBike to a meeting in downtown Hartford, a type of use he thinks will grow in the city.

“They're super quick to check out, and hop on and ride,” Cherolis said.

At the moment, the bikes are probably best used as a convenience, Cherolis said. For somebody who depends on bicycle access for everyday transportation, 400 bikes aren't enough to be confident one will be nearby at any given time. But someone who was planning to walk to a meeting in the city, and finds a LimeBike, can make the trip a lot quicker.

A key demographic using the bikes, Rees said, is individuals testing cycling as their main urban transportation. That includes people who are thinking about getting their own bike, but want to give it a try first.

Another demographic is those who can't afford to buy a bicycle. Lower-income riders can use the Lime Access program, which charges people who qualify for any form of government assistance $5 for 100, 30-minute rides.

It also enables individuals without smartphones to access LimeBikes using the PayNearMe service, which allows people to pay for rides in cash at certain convenience stores.

But one problem Cherolis points out is bike vandalism. People have cut, damaged and removed wheel locks to “liberate” them, he said.

“We're kind of bummed that folks are abusing and stealing these bikes,” Cherolis said. “Outside of downtown, there's a significant amount, and I don't know what (Lime's) tolerance level for loss is, or what's their long-term plan for managing that.”

Bikes have been vandalized, Rees admits, but the overall damage hasn't presented much of a problem. Across all of Lime's markets, the rate of vandalism is less than 1 percent, Rees said.

In Hartford, he said his eight-person team corrals damaged bikes so a staff mechanic can repair them.

Going forward, it's unclear how LimeBike will operate during the cold and snowy winter months, Rees said. Bikes will be available, but Lime hasn't decided whether to reduce the fleet during that time, which will be a slower period.

The company is also weighing whether to bring its motorized scooters to Hartford, which have become popular in other major cities.

As far as expansion, there has been talk of establishing LimeBike in West Hartford, Rees said, but nothing is concrete.

Widening Lime's footprint even further in the state is another goal the company is pedaling toward, Rees said.

“I'd like to see bikes in East Hartford, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Manchester,” he said. “I hope that everybody jumps onboard, and takes advantage of this great (program).”