Santa Barbara, CA – The City of Santa Barbara’s Sustainability & Resilience Department is marking a major transportation milestone. BCycle, the city’s bikeshare program, recorded its one‑millionth trip on September 14, and the city will celebrate by providing free 30‑minute rides on Saturday, October 3.
Milestone reflects growing community use
Since its launch in 2021, BCycle’s pedal‑assist electric bicycles have logged more than three million miles. That usage has avoided an estimated 428.59 metric tons of greenhouse‑gas emissions – roughly the same as removing 100 passenger vehicles from the road for an entire year.
Program details and expansion
BCycle currently operates 103 stations, 654 docks, and 324 e‑bikes throughout Santa Barbara, offering residents and visitors a convenient, low‑cost alternative to single‑occupancy cars. Recent grant funding enabled the “BCycle for All” expansion, which added new docks in underserved neighborhoods and introduced discounted annual memberships for low‑income households.
City leadership emphasizes environmental and family benefits
“Reaching one million trips is an exciting achievement for the City of Santa Barbara and a testament to the growing role that bikeshare plays in our community,” said Melissa Hetrick, Acting Director of the Sustainability & Resilience Department. “Every BCycle trip represents another opportunity to reduce reliance on single‑passenger vehicles and to give families a safe, healthy way to get around.”
How to take advantage of the free‑ride promotion
Anyone can ride for free on October 3 by using the promotional code MILLION when checking out a bike at any BCycle station. The free ride applies to the first 30 minutes of each trip; additional time will be charged at the standard rate.
Why bikeshare matters for Santa Barbara families
Beyond the environmental impact, BCycle offers a practical solution for families seeking affordable transportation to schools, parks, and local businesses. The program’s electric assistance makes longer rides accessible to riders of all ages and fitness levels, supporting the city’s broader goals of health, safety, and community connectivity.
Looking ahead
The city plans to continue expanding the network, with additional stations slated for the upcoming fiscal year. Officials hope that the free‑ride day will encourage new users to try the system and that increased ridership will further reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
For more information about BCycle, membership options, or the upcoming free‑ride event, visit the city’s BCycle page at santabarbaraca.gov/BCycle.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
