Bublr Bikes Announces Spring Re-Launch of Electric Bicycles

Milwaukee, WI: Today, Bublr Bikes, Milwaukee’s nonprofit bikeshare operator, announced their spring re-launch of their electric bicycles. Bublr’s electric bicycles launched in spring 2021 after offering only pedal bicycles since the organizations beginning in 2014. Powered by Bosch ‘eBike’ system, Bublr’s April 2022 ebike launch offered 200 new bicycles. This year, they are offering close to 400 which can be found all across Bublr’s 100+ stations.

Last year the bikeshare organization saw positive increases in ridership due to the launch of ebikes. Bublr’s ebikes have a battery-powered motor that assists as the rider pedals up to 15mph, which makes pedaling long distances, against the wind, and uphill much easier. Overall, Bublr’s ebikes were ridden eight times as much as their standard pedal bikes in 2022. Additionally, the organization saw a ridership increase in the 55-65 age group going from 8.6% to 15.9% of trips taken. Data from Bublr’s income qualified Access Pass trips from 2017-2022 show 3,703 trips altogether, with trips in 2022 alone being 5,830. Both these increases show the potential for ebikes to increase the equitable use of bikeshare throughout the region.

Bublr’s ebikes aim to be affordable. Annual pass and Access Pass holders have no additional ‘unlock fee’ for ebike usage, and other users only pay an additional $1.00 unlock fee to check out the ebikes.

Bublr Bikes’ new Director of Operations Emmy Yates said “It’s going to be a very busy summer for Bublr’s operations team, but also for users. Not everyone can afford to buy an electric bike, so it’s an exciting option that we’re aiming to make more accessible for our growing number of users who want to use them. Our data shows that they were pretty in-demand last summer, so we’re hoping to keep up and satisfy users with the additional bikes that we have built.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.