Houston BCycle expands into TSU

Houston BCycle, a local bike share service, has installed five new stations on the Texas Southern University campus.

The partnership was funded in part by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a longtime supporter of bike transit and an alumnus of the school.

“For many Houstonians, especially students, owning and maintaining a car can be a hardship,” Ellis said in a statement. “Expanding BCycle to TSU will improve the quality of life for everyone on campus and give more people the freedom to travel throughout the city in an affordable and environmentally conscious way.”

The Houston City Council granted a $300,000 expansion to the bike share program in August.

There are now 82 stations across the city. The service started in 2012 with 18 bikes at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston City Hall and Market Square.

Stations are also at the Rice University, Houston Community College and University of Houston-Downtown campuses.

Other Third Ward stations include one at Emancipation Park and one at Project Row Houses. At least one more Third Ward station is slated for 2019.

TSU students and staff can get unlimited rides across the Houston BCycle system for $5 per month. For members, each ride is covered for up to an hour, and overage fees are $3 per 30 minutes.

“We’re absolutely honored to bring bike sharing to TSU’s campus, especially considering the bike lane upgrades that Mayor (Sylvester) Turner and Commissioner Ellis are helping fund in the area,” Beth Martin, executive director of Houston Bike Share, which operates Houston BCycle, said in a statement.