Omaha's 400 shared e-bikes are now free to all residents

Metropolitan Omaha is making its bike share system free, opening up the 400 e-bikes to all residents over 16. "Those vehicles can even be ridden across the Iowa border and into neighboring communities like Council Bluff, making Heartland one of only a handful of multi-state micromobility providers around — and the 'Free Rides' program makes it one of the country’s most-affordable systems, too," a Streetsblog article explains.

Heartland is one of the nation's most ambitious free bike share programs, offering unlimited 60-minute rides. Before going fare-free, the system only recovered 10% to 15% of its operating costs through rider fares, half of which came from out-of-town visitors. The Free Rides program is funded for one year, but Heartland CEO Benny Foltz hopes the benefits will help make the case for continuing it into the future.