Boston launches bike-share program

Boston (MA) mayor Thomas M. Menino presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday to launch New Balance Hubway, the city’s bicycle-sharing program. Named after its principal corporate sponsor, the program features more than 600 bicycles at 61 stations across the city. “This is a great day for Boston,” Menino said in a statement. “Over the past four years, we have taken great strides toward making Boston a city that welcomes and encourages bicycling but this innovative system is the most significant step yet. We have had the goal of going from worst to first, and with Hubway we’re nearly there.” According to an Associated Press story, the city is responding to complaints about reckless cyclists by stationing more police officers at key intersections. And to promote safe cycling, the city is also offering a bicycle safety education program and providing free helmets. Some 700 people have already signed up for annual Hubway memberships.

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