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Tara Gallagher
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If you’ve ever wished you could hop on a bike now and then for errands or fun without the expense and hassle of bike ownership, a bike share program is perfect for you. The Bluebikes bike share program began operating in Salem in June 2021 with eight hubs across the city including one along the bike path at Salem State’s Central Campus and one near the School of Social Work at Lafayette and Leach Streets.
With the return of students to campus, Salem State has been encouraging students to try the bikes for free. All residential students received free bike share codes in their welcome packets, courtesy of the Student Life Office. The bikes have been popular with students with data showing that the Central Campus hub was the top station in the system for starting and ending trips from September 1-11.
The Sustainability Office has been providing free bike ride codes at various events on campus. Students may also obtain free ride codes at the:
- Library Help Desk
- Gassett Fitness Center
- School of Social Work room LA-114
These free ride codes are good for one 30-minute ride. After downloading the Bluebike app, students must enter credit or debit card information to proceed and are charged $2.50 for each additional 30 minutes.
Students with Pell Grants are eligible for fantastic deals through Bluebikes income-eligible program. This program offers unlimited 60-minute rides for 30 days for $5.00. Bluebikes also offers all riders single rides, adventure passes (24 hours of unlimited two-hour rides) and annual memberships.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about several programs for getting to and around campus and the city at the Transportation Fair on Monday, September 20th from 12 – 2 pm on the Ellison Campus Center Alumni Plaza. Bluebike free ride codes will be available, and students will be able to enter a raffle to win a bike helmet. Offices including Sustainability, University Police, Gassett Fitness, First Year Experience and Academic Affairs will provide information about the following transportation programs:
- Bluebikes and bike safety
- Viking Shuttle
- Salem Sipper shared minivan
- MBTA bus, subway and commuter rail
- Parking
- Electric vehicle charging
- Salem Ferry
- Commuter Club
Thank you to Mayor Driscoll and her talented transportation team for envisioning Salem as a city where residents don’t need a car and for working to implement that vision through programs like the Bluebike bike share and the Salem Skipper. Salem State shares that vision and invites the SSU community to learn more about the various transportation options available at www.salemstate.edu/commuting.