‘Bugs, Bikes & and Botany’ Program Encourages Outdoor Exploration Through Bike Share

The San Antonio River Foundation partnered with the local library system, bike advocacy groups, and BCycle to get residents outside.

Photos by Chris Saucedo

A river foundation might seem an unlikely champion for bike share programs, but the San Antonio River Foundation is redefining what it means to connect communities to the natural world. With a mission focused on improving the San Antonio River Basin, the foundation recognizes that enhancing access to the 240-mile river trail is vital not only for recreation but also as a sustainable, viable transportation option. As communities nationwide grapple with transportation equity, bike share along the river trail provides a transportation option that benefits both the environment and the people who use it.

When the Better Bike Share Partnership launched its latest mini-grant round earlier this year, the San Antonio River Foundation saw an opportunity to expand access to shared micromobility in underserved communities. Partnering with San Antonio BCycle, the foundation introduced Bugs, Bikes & Botany: Nature Adventure Kit Program, a project designed to increase bike share usage among low-income and BIPOC communities while fostering a deeper connection to nature. By combining transportation with outdoor exploration, the initiative aims to bridge mobility gaps and promote environmental engagement.

“It seemed like a natural fit,” says Sara Ramirez, San Antonio River Foundation’s director of nature equity and engagement. “The goal of it [Nature Adventure Kit Program] was to increase micromobility options for BIPOC communities that provide this extra avenue of nature to those who are most often displaced in those spaces, but it also provides a sustainable transportation option, which is badly needed both for our environment, but also those most affected by climate change.”

The partnership with BCycle was strategic in order to expose more residents to the system.

“One of the things that prompted us to apply for this together is that our San Antonio BCycle was threatened to go away because they’ve been going through a lot of changes with different owners and things like that,” says Ramirez. “Earlier in the year, we were looking at ways to keep them funded and keep them alive.”

The project encompassed two major components. The first is the nature adventure kits and the field map focusing on the project’s two themes — water ecology and pollinators of Texas. 10 backpacks held each kit and were filled with different materials like binoculars and aquascopes for people to go out and explore nature through various prompts inside each kit. Backpacks were distributed to two libraries located on the southside of San Antonio in partnership with the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) and Bibliotech County Libraries. Each backpack had a BCycle pass as well as national and state park passes. The field map (see below) has all of the BCycle docking stations along the river with key spots highlighted.

The second component was community engagement. While the nature kits were ready, the question remained: how would residents know about them and get involved in the program? This was addressed through collaboration with local partners to host guided rides along the river. Three themed rides were held between August and October. In August, they partnered with Chingona Race Productions and the San Antonio chapter of Latino Outdoors to celebrate Chingona Month. 

Erika Espinosa, co-founder and co-race director for Chingona Race Productions says, “It’s a great reminder of how bike shares can make cycling approachable for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting out.”

In October, two more rides took place: a Bat Bike Ride in collaboration with Bat Conservation International, and a cemetery ride led by Danielle Belleny, a wildlife biologist and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, in partnership with the San Antonio chapter of Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB).

“This experience emphasized the importance of accessibility and convenience in bike share systems,” says Tina Beecham, BGDB ride leader. “Well-planned programs with strategically located stations can increase ridership and encourage daily biking. Partnerships between local organizations and city officials ensure these programs meet community needs.”

Capped at 15 riders, each ride featured one hour of nature education based on the theme and one hour of riding on the river trail. According to Ramirez, the rides brought out folks of all ages with the rides offered at various days and times to accommodate any schedule. The San Antonio BCycle team was on hand for every ride to not only support in leading the ride but also provide education on the system. This entailed hands-on demonstrations about how to use the BCyle app, how the docking stations work, and answering questions.

Ramirez and her team at the San Antonio River Foundation are committed to sustaining these guided rides into the future.

“I hope we can pool our resources and work with our partners to keep the series going and make it as wonderful as it is with everyone’s different expertise,” says Ramirez. “We’re looking at the Spring to continue our Bugs, Bikes, and Botany program with our kits, then continuing our bike ride series.”