(Washington, DC) – Today, the Bowser Administration is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Capital Bikeshare (CaBi), a first-of-its-kind bikeshare system in the nation. Since opening on September 20, 2010, CaBi has transformed how residents, workers, and visitors navigate the District, promoting healthier and greener transportation options at affordable prices. The system remains the largest municipality-owned bikeshare in the United States.
“Capital Bikeshare has become an essential part of how people move around the District and the region,” said District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Sharon Kershbaum. “Over 15 years, CaBi has grown from a small pilot program to a world-class bikeshare system, connecting residents to jobs, schools, parks, and cultural destinations. We’re proud to continue investing in bikeshare so more people can enjoy safe, affordable, and accessible ways to travel.”
CaBi began as a partnership between the District of Columbia and Arlington County, VA, as a successor to SmartBike DC, launched in 2008. Starting with 49 stations and 400 bikes, the system has grown to more than 800 stations and 8,000 bikes across eight jurisdictions in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The CaBi program is administered by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) through a contract with Lyft.
To date, riders have taken more than 50 million trips. In 2024 alone, more than 6 million trips were recorded, breaking the all-time annual ridership record for the second consecutive year. Annual trips increased 36.9% from 2023, and CaBi has achieved year-over-year monthly ridership growth for 43 consecutive months. E-bikes, introduced in 2018, now represent more than 60% of rides.
Since 2021, DDOT has replaced more than 140 of the oldest CaBi stations as part of State of Good Repair efforts. In 2024, DDOT also launched a solar canopy pilot in partnership with the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) at four stations, allowing e-bikes to recharge while docked, keeping bikes in service longer and reducing operational costs.
CaBi is also helping expand access to cycling for all residents. Through a partnership with Achilles International, free weekly adaptive cycling sessions are now available in DC, offering handcycles, tandem bikes, and recumbent bikes for riders with disabilities. Athletes and volunteers can learn more and sign up here.
The Bowser Administration has made historic investments in multimodal transportation. Over the past decade, the District has built 55 miles of bike lanes—including 35 miles of protected lanes—added 13 miles of dedicated bus lanes, expanded the trail network to 67 miles through projects like the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and nearly doubled the number of CaBi stations.
The FY26 Budget, Grow DC, builds on that progress with historic transportation investments across all eight wards, from $64 million in additional WMATA funding to $74 million for new pedestrian and bike trails.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the system map and pricing at capitalbikeshare.com.
Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Bluesky: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos
Mayor Bowser LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser