Bike Share Discount Programs See Major Ridership Growth

Data from Bublr Bikes in Milwaukee and POGOH in Pittsburgh show significant growth in discount program ridership.

Community Slow Roll through the eastside of Pittsburgh, PA.
Photo courtesy of Murphy Moschetta

Bike share discount programs, such as POGOH’s Mobility Justice Membership in Pittsburgh and Bublr Bikes’ Access Pass in Milwaukee, are designed to make transportation more accessible to residents. POGOH offers a $10 annual pass through the Mobility Justice Membership, while Bublr Bikes provides free annual passes for qualifying individuals through the Access Pass. In the past year, both programs experienced significant ridership growth as more residents became aware of these options and learned how to take advantage of discounted memberships.

Two major barriers to using bike share are cost and a lack of knowledge about using the equipment. Residents see stations pop up in their neighborhoods but assume the service isn’t meant for them. Even if they figure out how to use the system, cost can be a barrier. Hands-on community engagement has proven to be effective in squashing misconceptions about who bike share is for while educating residents on the types of passes available to them and on the system in general.

“It’s one thing promoting on the internet, and it’s another thing being out there with people and telling them, ‘Hey, we’re not just the station that’s outside. We’re also people trying to give back to people, and this is me helping you to gain access to this program,’ says Daniela Lopez, community engagement manager at Bublr. “Once people started seeing that we’re not a big company, that we’re also just people, then they were like, ‘Okay, let me look more into this.’ It’s the involvement that made people feel much more willing to create an account.”

Daniela Lopez tabling for an event called “Soberfest” photo courtesy of Bublr Bikes

To qualify for the Bublr Bikes Access Pass, you must be a Milwaukee resident over the age of 14 and receive government assistance, which could include HACM housing, FoodShare, WIC, Medicaid, or SSI benefits.

According to a December 2024 press release, Bublr Bikes saw a 66% increase in Access Pass ridership compared to 2023, with more than 15,000 access pass rides taken. In 2022, Access Pass rides totaled just 488.

“This feels like we’re actually making an impact,” says Lopez. “We’re all very happy that people are riding more bikes, and people are taking advantage of it. They’re using the resource. This shows that people do need bikes.”

Tyree W. from the east side of Milwaukee uses his Access Pass to get to and from work during the warmer months.

“[For work] we take a transport van that goes all the way from Milwaukee to West Bend,” says Tyree. “I would take the bike from my house and ride as close as I possibly can to my job site, and then I would take a transport van from there to go to my work. So it was very convenient for me.”

Tyree hopes the system continues to expand into the southern part of Milwaukee, where he is from. According to Laura Bolger, executive director of Bublr Bikes, the City of Milwaukee is expanding and densifying the Bublr network this year with a multimillion-dollar federal grant and a $1.4 million match from the city.

“This will allow us to operate in neighborhoods where there is limited access to transportation, both public transit and personal vehicle ownership, and provide a low-cost or no-cost service to communities that have been transit deserts historically,” says Bolger.

POGOH Bike Share in Pittsburgh saw ridership among their Mobility Justice Members increase by 130% from 2023 to 2024 with 10,026 trips in 2023 and 23,062 trips last year. According to Brother Lloyd, that increase is attributed to the successes of their community ambassador program. The ambassadors staffed 82 events in 2023, reaching 4,533 people. In 2024, they attended 85 events and reached 5,847 people. 

Mobility Justice Membership SIgn Up and Survey Opportunities during Open Streets PGH.
Photo courtesy of Murphy Moschetta

“It’s being strategic regarding the people that we want to distribute information to,” says Lloyd. “I know key players in different neighborhoods, so I know if I can get info to this person, their network is a lot bigger in that area, than me coming in saying ‘I’m Brother Lloyd, equity initiative manager of POGOH. Would you believe X, Y, and Z?’ So, getting into the community’s hands and letting them walk through the message organically. That’s a strategy that I brought here, doing the work.”

To qualify for the Mobility Justice Membership, you must be an active-duty U.S. military member, a veteran, or a Pittsburgh resident who receives government assistance, including SNAP, LIHEAP, and Medicare/Medicaid.

Like Bublr, POGOH is also working on a planned system expansion. As a BBSP Living Lab, POGOH is working on a project titled Equitable Outreach and Engagement in Pittsburgh which means meaningfully engaging with residents about the expansion and how to use bike share. As more Pittsburgh residents are informed about bike share and the Mobility Justice Membership option, Brother Lloyd is confident they will have enough bikes to satisfy everyone within their network.

Terry M., who lives on the east side of Pittsburgh, was the top Mobility Justice Member rider of 2024, clocking the most rides. He discovered POGOH from a booth at a community event.

“I started on the scooter, but then I had hip surgery and scooters were a little dangerous. Right at that time, POGOH came out,” says Terry. “For me, it helped my rehab after having two hip surgeries — riding that bike and exercising while needing the electric part to help me in my rehab and getting back to full strength. It’s convenient. I go to work on them in the morning. It saves money on driving, and it’s a good way to stay in shape.”

By partnering with trusted local leaders, attending community events, and providing bike share education, Bublr Bikes and POGOH have connected more residents to this transportation option and their discount programs.