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SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2017 – Ford’s commitment to work with cities to improve transportation with more accessible, affordable and sustainable mobility services takes a big leap forward with the expansion of the San Francisco Bay Area’s bike-share program. In collaboration with Motivate, the global leader in bike-share technology, Ford GoBike begins rolling out on city streets tomorrow.
Despite the area’s infamous hills, bicycles are the fastest-growing mode of transportation there, with usage surging 184 percent between 2006 and 2015, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. In fact, the number of people in the city commuting to work on bikes nearly doubled, according to U.S. Census Bureau. It’s not hard to imagine why – bikes are a fun way to get around while getting a little exercise, too.
“At Ford, we understand it takes working together with cities to address their unique set of transportation challenges to help reduce congestion,” said John Kwant, vice president, City Solutions, Ford Smart Mobility. “Ford GoBike represents a strong collaboration between Motivate and the communities in the Bay Area, as all parties reinforce their commitment to help the city thrive with more sustainable mobility options like Ford GoBike.”
In September, Ford announced its commitment to develop public-private partnerships with cities around the world to combat the growing strain on transportation infrastructure as populations increase. Ford created City Solutions, a team dedicated to working with cities to help address traffic congestion issues and help people move more easily.
Along with bikes and other transportation options such as the crowd-sourced shuttle service Chariot, Ford is expanding the types of solutions it offers to make it easier for residents and visitors to get around the city.
Ford and Motivate began working with local officials, community groups, civic associations and others to determine GoBike specifications and station locations for the Bay Area. A Ford GoBike is specifically designed to more easily navigate the hills of San Francisco. Its sturdy aluminum frame offers a stable ride, while the adjustable, padded saddle seat is intended to provide comfort for any rider and is rain-resistant, as is the brake system contained within the frame. The bikes also feature a continuous variable hub providing a wide gear range, allowing riders to choose the right level of resistance from the Mission Flats to the Oakland Hills and everywhere in between. Puncture-resistant tires will remain inflated, and multiple motion-activated lights make riders visible at night.
By the end of this summer there will be 3,500 of these bikes available throughout San Francisco, East Bay and San Jose – and by the end of next year the region will have 546 stations and 7,000 bikes, making Ford GoBike the nation’s second-largest bike-share program.
Want to ride our bicycle? Here’s how
Finding and renting a GoBike is easy. Become a member by registering at Ford GoBike.com or simply walk up to a station and rent a bike. And, if smartphone apps are your thing, there are a couple of other options.
FordPass™ users can find a GoBike via the FordPass app, which serves as Ford’s platform for future mobility solutions. Already, FordPass allows people to reserve and pay for parking in select cities so they don’t need to waste time searching for a place to park. They can also lock, unlock and start a vehicle equipped with SYNC® Connect through a tap on their smartphone.
Now, the 650,000 FordPass members in the United States will see Ford GoBike as an option in the app when they are in the Bay Area since the feature is location-based and pops up on the phone’s screen making it easy to find and rent a bike.
If you plan to use GoBike frequently – say, you’re looking to commute to work through the service – the launch of a dedicated Ford GoBike app will enable riders to find the nearest bike and docking station, purchase passes and save their favorite stations. The app will also send notifications about your rides. A timer keeps track of the time for your current ride to ensure you stay within your rental period, and provides Ford GoBike members with stats such as number of miles ridden on a trip.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
Motivate, the global leader in bike share, operates tens of thousands of bikes across four continents. Led by an executive team with deep experience at the highest levels of public transportation and technology, the company is relentlessly focused on innovation and has a proven business model to manage complex operations and logistics. A vertically integrated company, Motivate is leading the way on the design and deployment of the next generation of bike share technology. Motivate works in closely with governments and communities to implement bike share systems that meet the unique needs of cities. Motivate systems, including Citi Bike, Divvy, Capital Bikeshare, Hubway, BIKETOWN and Ford GoBike, are responsible for over 80 percent of bike share trips taken annually in the U.S.. To learn more visit: motivateco.com