A new bike-share service is wheeling its way into Greater Boston.
LimeBike, a dockless bike-share company based out of California, recently announced that it raised $50 million in Series B funding, allowing it to roll lime-green bikes into more than 30 new cities across the country.
As part of that expansion, LimeBike plans to launch in Malden as early as next week, the company said.
If you’re interested in bike-shares, you may have used Hubway, which has stations throughout Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.
LimeBike works a bit differently, however. It’s a dockless bike-share, which means there won’t be stations popping up in Malden. Instead, riders can pick up and drop off the bikes at designated spots around town, from regular bike racks to the sidewalk.
Users find a bike at a location near them through the app, because the bright green bikes are equipped with GPS, wireless technology, and self-activating locks. You scan a code on the bike you want to take with the app, and it unlocks. When you’re done your trip, you park it and shut the lock on the back wheel.
LimeBike rides cost $1.00, or 50 cents per 30 minutes for students who have a valid .edu email address.
For the Malden launch, LimeBike is even offering the code “LIMEMALDEN,” allowing customers to get free rides until the end of the month.
“We are so excited to reach an agreement with the city of Malden to bring LimeBike’s dockless bike-share services to the community. LimeBike’s flexible, dockless model will help fulfill the original vision of Hubway, which is: bikes everywhere and accessible to everyone,” said Scott Mullen, LimeBike’s Director of Boston Expansion. ”I am thrilled to be a part of LimeBike so I can continue to work towards improving transportation and urban mobility for the greater Boston metro.”
Hubway is expanding, as well, with more than 70 new stations expected to be added in the next two years. Riders can help choose those new locations, too — the Boston Transportation Department is hosting dozens of workshops in the city during which people can suggest spots for the new stations. Check out when and where those are here.
