Richmond’s bike share program back in business
8/31/2023, 6 p.m.
Richmond’s bicycle rental system is back in business, with free rides being offered through the end of the year to re-energize, raise awareness and boost interest.
City Hall announced the restart Monday following the hiring of a new operator, We Go Share, out of Portugal.
The announcement was made as Richmond opened a new station at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St.
Officials said there are now 300 pedal-assisted electric bikes available at 25 stations around the city, with additional stations set to be installed in a bid to make the bikes more competitive with popular scooters.
The free use of bikes through Dec. 31 is available to anyone who downloads the RVA Bikeshare application and then registers as a rider using the app, according to the city Department of Public Works.
The bike share operation shut down May 19 after a financially stressed Canadian company, Bewegen Technologies, abruptly terminated its ties with Richmond as well as a host of other cities.
DPW solicited other software companies, and We Go Share was selected to restart the program at cost of $55,000, accord- ing to the city.
Launched with a federal grant, the operation is expected to pay for itself from fees riders pay for using the bikes. City financial reports on the program indicate that revenue and ex- penses were roughly equal before Bewegen put the brakes on its operations.
