New Redwood Bikeshare Pilot Program to Launch This Fall

The pilot program, called Redwood Bikeshare, is a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA), and the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM). This two-year pilot program's goal is to provide residents and visitors with an environmentally friendly and innovative way to connect with local transit systems and travel car-free across Marin and Sonoma counties.

Redwood Bikeshare will introduce 300 e-bikes across seven cities along the SMART Train corridor, including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Cotati, Novato, San Rafael, and Larkspur. Redwood Bikeshare will operate on a Hub-to-Hub model where trips will start and end at predetermined hub locations. Seventy-five parking hubs will be strategically placed at SMART Train stations and near key locations such as Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College, ensuring convenient access to e-bikes. The initial bike share pilot program in Santa Rosa will consist of up to 80 e-bikes and ten hub locations such as Courthouse Square, Mitote Food Park, Coddingtown Transit Center and more.

Users can reserve, unlock, and pay for e-bikes using a smartphone app. Rides are priced at $0.25 per minute with an additional $1 unlock fee. Membership options are available for frequent users, including a monthly plan, a three-month plan, and an annual plan, each offering 60 minutes of free riding daily. Single-day passes are also available for $10.

This program has been made possible through a grant from the MTC, with the SCTA and TAM leading the development of this pilot project. Redwood Bikeshare is expected to enhance connectivity with local transit systems and promote a sustainable, car-free lifestyle in the region.

Redwood Bikeshare is anticipated to launch in Marin and Sonoma counties in September 2024.

Redwood Bikeshare on SCTA