Agencies launch Bikeshare program

Federal employees in the Washington area now have the option to share bicycles for their daily commute, thanks to a new Bikeshare program.

Officials from the Office of Personnel Management, General Services Administration and Transportation Department on Monday announced a partnership with the District Department of Transportation to provide federal workers with memberships to Capital Bikeshare. The program gives users access to 1,000 bikes at 100 stations in Washington and Northern Virginia.

"We're viewing it as its own stand-alone transit system, like a Circulator bus or streetcar," said Gabe Klein, director of DDOT. "It's the ultimate in point-to-point transportation sharing. …. The federal government is one of the primary users of the transit system coming in and out of the district."

Capital Bikeshare already has launched in 40 stations and plans to roll out the remaining locations during the coming weeks, according to Klein. For the general public, memberships are available online for a one-time annual fee of $50, which includes 30 minutes of free use each time a bike is checked out. Riders will be charged additional fees on top of the $50 for every half hour of use after the first 30 minutes. For example, riders are charged $1.50 extra for an additional 30 to 60 minutes; $3.00 extra for 61 to 90 minutes and $6.00 for every 30-minute block of time after that. After 24 hours, riders are charged a $1,000 stolen bike fee. To avoid the extra fees, riders can trade in their bike for a new one at a Bikeshare station before the first 30 minutes expire.

Federal employees could have access to the program at minimal or no cost through corporate memberships, Klein said, noting each agency will have a different corporate arrangement. For example, OPM purchased 300 corporate slots, which are available free of charge to employees, though members will have to cover the cost of use beyond the 30-minute time limit. But other agencies could opt to contribute only a portion of the membership fee, he said.

Federal officials said the program promotes sustainability and wellness in government. According to GSA Administrator Martha Johnson, Bikeshare will encourage federal workers to drive less and use bicycles as an alternate form of transportation. OPM Director John Berry encouraged employees not only to ride to and from meetings, but also to use their memberships for fitness. The program is aimed at commuting and leisure, officials said. According to Klein, stations are located outside OPM, GSA and Transportation, but a $25,000 investment could bring more stations to other agency buildings.