Finance Committee backs Bluebikes grants for e-bikes, new docking stations and repairs

Strategy & Planning Director Alan Inacio described two related Bluebikes grant awards: $366,729.25 from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to expand e-bike offerings and stations, and $85,933.60 from the Boston Region MPO to fund state-of-good-repair equipment replacement. Inacio said design work is under way and that the city plans to target new stations around Blessing of the Bay and Junction Park along the community path.

Councilors asked about the local match and unit costs. Inacio explained that the match will come from Bluebikes transactional revenue set aside for Somerville — "It's just not coming off the general fund" — and confirmed the per-unit equipment costs are higher than consumer bikes because they are built for heavy public use. The committee laid the item on the table to recommend approval to the full council.