Tucson Standard

The Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP), funded by The JPB Foundation to build equitable and replicable shared micromobility systems, has awarded $200,000 to the City of Tucson’s Tugo Bike Share Program. This funding aims to test strategies and implement new ideas to enhance accessibility for residents in lower-income communities.

A collaborative effort between PeopleForBikes, the City of Philadelphia, and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), BBSP will provide Tucson with resources to develop best practices for creating access to shared micromobility and increasing its use in historically marginalized communities.

The grant will support a community-led planning initiative involving partners such as Families United Gaining Accessibility/Familias Unidas Ganando Accesibilidad (FUGA) and the City of Tucson. This initiative aims to strengthen relationships with individuals, neighborhoods, and organizations through public outreach events.

“This is a critical investment that’s been overdue in our part of the city,” said Ward 1 Council Member Lane Santa Cruz. “By supporting the work already being done by FUGA, this grant helps us continue to break down barriers to mobility.”

“FUGA has been fostering familiarity with Tugo Bike Share in these communities since 2018 through monthly community bicycle rides. Now we can work with our community to identify the mobility gaps to make Tugo for Nosotros!” said Vanessa Gallego, FUGA Program Manager.

Owned by the City of Tucson and operated by Shift Transit, a leader in bike share and mobility operation services across North America, the Tugo Bike Share system includes over 330 pedal bikes, 41 stations, and 558 docking points.

The 2024-2026 cohort of Living Lab grantees includes Tucson alongside Pittsburgh, PA; Los Angeles, CA; and Philadelphia, PA.