Boston committee reviews $775,855 MPO grant to replace Bluebikes stations, pilot electrified docks and convert meter poles to bike racks

The Boston City Council Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation on Feb. 20 reviewed Docket 0396, an order to accept and expend $775,855 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Community Connections Program (passed through the Boston-region MPO) to fund replacement of aged Bluebikes stations, pilot electrification at a small number of docks, and conversion of decommissioned single-space parking meter poles to bicycle racks. The committee held an informational hearing and did not vote; Chair Sharon Durkin said she intends to move the acceptance at the next full Council meeting.

What the grant would fund

Kim Fultz, Director of Boston Bluebikes, told the committee the $775,855 grant would support three projects: (1) replacement of roughly 10–12 existing Bluebikes stations that have reached the end of their useful life (stations are typically replaced after about 10 years); (2) a pilot to electrify two Bluebikes stations so e-bikes can charge in-dock rather than relying on battery swapping; and (3) conversion of parking meter poles—made surplus by the city’s meter modernization—into bike racks using sleeves that slide over the…