After years of waiting, public bikeshare has come to Marin! Redwood Bikeshare System Launch
All Systems Go
Residents of San Rafael and Larkspur Ferry commuters may have noticed new bikeshare stations around town. This is the pre-launch of Redwood Bikeshare, the North Bay’s first public bikeshare system!
Although the formal ribbon cutting was held on November 6th, the system has been active and available for users for a few weeks. As of this writing, not all of the stations are up and running (Novato is still pending), but we expect to see the whole network ready soon.
Where does it go?
In total, the system is made up of 300 electric bicycles (top speed 15 mph) distributed between Marin and Sonoma counties, roughly based around the SMART train stations. Marin will have stations in Larkspur, San Rafael, Terra Linda, and Novato, with a similar network in Sonoma County surrounding their train stations. While the intent is for riders to use the bikes for the first/last mile connections to SMART, nothing is stopping you from using them for quick trips around town!
How does it work?
To get started, just download the app on your phone! You can find a link on the Redwood Bikeshare website, or scan the QR code at any of the bikeshare stations. Register for the service, scan a bike, put on your helmet, and ride! To end a ride, the bike must be locked to a parking hub.
What does it cost?
Similar to most bikeshare systems, users can sign up for a membership or pay a la carte. A $20/month membership lets you take as many 30-minute rides as you want, with a fee of 25 cents/minute after that. Paying without a membership costs $1 to unlock a bike and 25 cents a minute after that.
People enrolled in either Calfresh (SNAP) or Medi-Cal can receive a membership for only $5/month, plus the same 25 cents/minute fee after a 30-minute ride.
What are the bikes like?
Our Policy & Planning Director took one of the new bikes for a spin at the ribbon cutting event on November 6th. What are they like to ride? The whole fleet is electric, so you don’t need to worry about hills. Adjusting the seat is very easy, and the e-assist is very snappy. The bikes only have one gear and quickly spin up to around 15 mph, meaning it can actually be hard to go slowly. Happily, the brakes seem sufficiently responsive. Overall the ride quality was quite good!
A SMARTer way to get to SMART
Redwood Bikeshare is a two-year pilot program to help people bridge the gap between home/work and SMART. We hope that enough people find it useful to demonstrate the need, and for it to justify future funding!
Let’s get out there and ride some bikes!
MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
Help us get more kids on bikes. Support Marin County Bicycle Coalition. Become a member today!
