A new transportation option is coming to Bakersfield starting today [Monday]. The City has partnered with mobility company SPIN to provide 125 pedal-assisted e-bikes through a bike-share program. This was made possible through a state grant. The agreement is for two years. According to Senior Public Policy Manager with SPIN Josh Johnson, the company would be willing to re-up the agreement or even expand if the launch is successful.

The full release can be seen below:

The City of Bakersfield is pleased to offer a new transportation option to residents and visitors of the City with the launch of a new bike-share program in partnership with Spin. This is the first bike-share program ever deployed in Bakersfield.

As part of the two-year agreement, Spin will deploy 125 e-bikes in the City starting Monday, April 4. These bikes feature pedal-assisted rechargeable electric motors and will provide riders with the ability to travel longer distances, navigate hands-free with their smartphone and carry cargo.

Through an Active Transportation Program (ATP) state grant, the City will provide $701,000 in funding to SPIN for operations and maintenance costs, as well as a subsidy program for discounts to low-income and student customers.

“We are very excited to see this program and these bikes come to our City,” said Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg. “The agreement with Spin is another example of the innovative thinking our staff is using to come up with new transportation options for our residents.”

“We applaud the work that Bakersfield and the State of California are doing to expand multi-modal transportation offerings,” said Kyle Rowe, Vice President of Partnerships and Policy at Spin. “This is a unique model we’d like to see other cities follow by enabling stability of the electric bike-share system through public funding while also providing a subsidy to help us grow use among low-income and student riders.”

For users, the cost is $1.00 to unlock each bike, plus $0.39 per minute to ride. The e- bikes may be used on the City of Bakersfield’s multi-use trail and riders must be 18 years old or older. The City’s agreement also includes a Spin Access Program that provides a 50% discount for all rides to low-income residents and students ($0.50 to unlock, $0.20/minute to ride). Eligible riders can apply for that discount online, or by calling Customer Support at 1-888-262-5189. During this bike share program, Spin will cease deploying scooters in Bakersfield, effective April 1, 2022.