Biki, Honolulu’s bikeshare program, launches new easy and affordable transportation option

HONOLULU – Bikeshare Hawaii today launched Biki, Honolulu’s new bikeshare program, with a blessing and ceremony downtown at 11:30 a.m. Biki offers an alternative method of transportation that is easy and affordable, and expected to calm traffic and increase street-level business for local merchants. Kahu Kordell Kekoa led the blessing and maile lei untying, where Bikeshare Hawaii CEO Lori McCarney was joined by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director Jade Butay, Hawaii Department of Health Director Virginia Pressler, M.D., Biki’s major donors, as well as government and community partners in a ceremony to observe the Honolulu’s bikeshare program’s launch. Both Governor David Ige and Mayor Caldwell declared today Bikeshare Hawaii Day.

“As we celebrate the launch of Biki, there were many individuals, organizations, and stakeholders that made this program a reality. From government officials, community partners, committed volunteers as well as Biki’s major donors, we couldn’t have done it without their support,” said Lori McCarney, CEO of Bikeshare Hawaii.  “Biki will provide a healthy, affordable, convenient, and green alternative to driving.”

More than 75 supporters, government, and community partners attended the ceremony on the State Capitol Lawn. Lyft Urban Solutions CEO Luc Sabbatini and Secure Bike Share CEO Kelvin Tjia along with representatives from Biki’s major donors including Ulupono Initiative, HMSA, Ward Village Foundation, Hawaiian Electric, and Hawaii Pacific Health also participated in the ceremony. Lyft Urban Solutions is the equipment provider, delivering the hardware and software for Biki, while Secure Bike Share is Bikeshare Hawaii’s operating partner.

“The launch of Biki is a testament to the value of public-private partnerships and highlights what can be achieved when government, nonprofits, and businesses are joined by the broader community to work toward a common goal,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “Biki will help Oahu increase multi-modal transportation as we continue implementing Complete Streets to ensure our roads are safe and accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers."

Pricing and Where to Buy

Recognizing that not everyone will use bikeshare the same way, Bikeshare Hawaii created four affordable fare options to select from:

• $15 monthly pass that provides unlimited 30-minute rides per month
• $25 monthly pass that provides unlimited 60-minute rides per month
• $20 Free Spirit pass that provides 300-minutes to use as you wish, that never expire
• $3.50 for a single ride (30 minutes of use)

Interested users can log onto gobiki.org to sign up or purchase any one of these passes before heading to a Biki stop. Biki, a free mobile app, is available for download and use on Android’s Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Biki users can sign up for the bikeshare system, purchase and/or reload any of these passes on the go!

Free Biki Bicycling Basics workshops

To help the community get acclimated with Biki, Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL), in partnership with Bikeshare Hawaii, is holding a series of “Biki Bicycling Basics” workshops free of charge for everyone interested at various neighborhoods within the Biki service area. Participants will review Honolulu’s bicycling rules, learn about good bike etiquette, and get a chance to try out a Biki bike to become familiarized with riding around on Honolulu’s streets during the workshop. Interested members of the community can log onto hbl.org/bikibasics for more information and to sign up.

The Biki and HBL teams will also be at different stations throughout the month providing on-site tutorials and providing a brief on safe routes as well as “Rules of the Road”. Exact location of these on-site tutorials will be posted on Biki’s Facebook page at facebook.com/gobikihi.

The primary goal of Biki is to provide accessible and affordable mobility in urban Honolulu for the vast majority of people who don’t bike now. In many situations, Biki provides a cheaper, healthier, friendlier and faster alternative to driving and parking.

Biki bikes are designed to ride in your everyday clothes, with an easy, step-through frame and chain guard to protect clothing even for someone in heels and a dress. Meanwhile, Honolulu will be the first city in the world to have a fleet comprised of the newest generation of bikes from Lyft Urban Solutions. The Biki bike is especially easy to handle for women and those who are a bit on the smaller side, but also a great ride for taller folks, too.

Since 2014, Bikeshare Hawaii has solicited input from the community regarding Honolulu’s first bikeshare program. Bikeshare Hawaii conducted research to develop the pricing, held numerous public outreach events including participation with area neighborhood boards and community organizations, as well as extensive canvassing events to engage the communities that will host a Biki stop. Over 650 businesses have been engaged, more than 40 meetings engaging over 100 stakeholders held, and many outreach and public education programs planned for the immediate future.

“Our plans for Biki do not stop today. We’ll be monitoring Biki stations and bike usage, and continue to engage the community to collaborate on how we can improve Honolulu’s bikeshare program, including the placement of Biki Stops. Biki will evolve and change over time. This week’s launch starts a new phase in our ongoing process to be the very best we can be for Honolulu,” said McCarney.

ABOUT BIKI

Biki is Honolulu’s new bikeshare program, managed by Bikeshare Hawaii, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Launched on June 28, 2017, Biki offers 100 conveniently located self-service “Biki Stops” from Chinatown to Diamond Head with a capacity of up to 1,000 Biki bikes. Biki’s team of dedicated local employees are on board to answer questions and resolve issues, keep Biki Stops well maintained and stocked, and ensure bikes are all set to ride. Biki bikes, manufactured by Lyft Urban Solutions, are designed to be easy to maneuver, comfortable and fun to ride, while accommodating riders of all sizes. Honolulu will be the first city in the world to have this new generation of bike. For more information, visit gobiki.org and follow Biki on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

ABOUT BIKESHARE HAWAII

Bikeshare Hawaii is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization created to launch and manage a bikeshare program in Hawaii through strong public-private partnerships. Bikeshare Hawaii is currently supported by the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii, along with major donors and smaller supporters alike. As a community-based nonprofit organization, Bikeshare Hawaii seeks donations to support its goal to be financially self-sustaining.  Bikeshare Hawaii will provide a viable transportation option for many, and will benefit both the private and public sector. For the latest updates on Bikeshare Hawaii, visit www.bikesharehawaii.org.

Images from today’s launch event courtesy of Bikeshare Hawaii can be found in the link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p1dxw4g3wye4zp9/AADKmFkFxFd22Wjnl75aDmXma?dl=0

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Lee Britos, Pang Communications (Cell: 372-8637; lbritos@pangcomm.com)
Francis Choe, Pang Communications (Cell: 366-4220; francis@pangcomm.com)
Jennifer Pang, Pang Communications (Cell: 371-2882; jpang@pangcomm.com