As the bright purple lockers were installed outside Long Beach’s City Hall, many people wondered what they would be used for.  Now the curiosity can be put to rest. 

These bright purple lockers located just south of the main entrance of City Hall are part of City Bike Share, an employee bike share program designed to reduce the number of local trips made by automobile, lessen traffic congestion in the downtown area and help employees get active and healthy. 

"City Bike Share is intended to encourage city employees to leave their cars and use a bicycle to travel to downtown locations," said City Manager Pat West.  "As a cyclist myself, I am excited to use City Bike Share and encourage employees to sign up and ride."

The City Bike Share Kick-Off Event will be held on Monday, March 17th at 10 a.m. in the City Hall Plaza.  This event will be attended by Mayor Bob Foster, Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal and Tonia Reyes Uranga, City Manager Pat West, Assistant City Manager Suzanne Frick and Barbara Long, Vice President, Government Relations and Special Projects of the Aquarium of the Pacific will include a presentation of the bikes and bike lockers.

"This program demonstrates that the City is committed to doing our part in providing sustainable alternatives to vehicles," said Suzanne Frick, Assistant City Manager.  "This is just another example of an innovative green program for a sustainable Long Beach."

The City Bike Share program, which is funded through Air Quality AB2766 funds, is part of the City's employee rideshare program in accordance with Rule 2202 Air Quality Investment Program.

The program is a partnership between the Department of Public Works and the Long Beach BikeStation.  There are two locations – one location at City Hall with 12 bikes and one location at the Aquarium with 4 bikes.  Beginning Monday March 17^th, City of Long Beach employees can sign up online for the City Bike Share program and can use the bikes free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.

City employees are invited to the Kick-Off event of City Bike Share and free helmets will be provided to the first 50 people who sign up.