Local News

Hubway will keep 110 stations open through December

And Cambridge will offer up to 400 bikes throughout the winter.

By Kristi Palma @kristipalma

December 7, 2015

1 minute to read

Hubway will keep 110 stations open through December and 37 stations open in Cambridge all winter.

Hubway, the city’s bike-sharing system, is expecting a busy December due to mild temperatures and 110 of the system’s 155 stations remaining open through Dec. 31 — its most ever.

November’s mild temperatures resulted in 20,000 more trips than last November, said Benjy Kantor, senior marketing manager for Hubway. If the mild temperatures continue, coupled with the Hubway’s expansion of services this winter, the bike service is poised to have its busiest winter season yet, Kantor said.

For the first time, Somerville will keep two stations open through December — at Union and Davis squares. Cambridge will continue to offer Hubway stations year round, keeping 37 stations open, which is five more than last year. While Boston and surrounding cities keep extending the April to November Hubway season, Cambridge is the only city paying to keep Hubway stations open year round, said Kantor. Cambridge’s Hubway stations will offer riders access to 350 to 400 bikes this winter.

So who exactly is biking in the winter?

“It’s not just winter warriors,’’ said Kantor. “These people need a way to commute to work or run an errand it and it doesn’t make sense for them to be sitting in a car for a couple of hours, stuck there.’’

While summer is Hubway’s busiest season at 5,000 to 7,000 trips per day, winter users still take thousands of rides — 2,100 rides per week last winter.

Sixty percent of Hubway users actually have cars, said Kantor. However, they prefer riding a bike to sitting in traffic. They also prefer borrowing a bike to the storage and upkeep necessary for bike owners.

Hubway offers winter riding tips on its website, which include wearing earmuffs that won’t obstruct your helmet and avoiding the color white while you ride during winter months so drivers can better see you when it snows.

Here is a list of stations that will remain open for some or all of the winter season.