(Washington, DC) Capital Bikeshare announced two new initiatives today as part of its continuing effort to ensure the system is safe and affordable. Members will now have the option to purchase helmets at a reasonable cost online and to pay for annual memberships in smaller, monthly installments. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Arlington County believe these new programs will encourage greater helmet use by members and help eliminate the financial barrier for some potential members by providing annual memberships at a low monthly rate.

The customized Capital Bikeshare helmets will be available for purchase at www.capitalbikeshare.com and will be sold at a discounted rate of $16, with an annual or monthly membership purchase or renewal.

The new monthly installment payment option allows members to pay just $7 a month with a full 12-month commitment.

“Our commitment to encouraging bicycling as a low-cost, convenient and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation is being matched by programs that also promote safety and serve all of the District’s residents, regardless of income level,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “I am thrilled that we continue to come up with new and innovative ways to meet these goals.”

“Arlington County is committed to providing streets that are safe for all users, whether biking, walking, or driving,” said Chris Hamilton, Bureau Chief of Arlington County Commuter Services. “The popularity of Capital Bikeshare is leading to more people riding bikes, and studies show that when this happens, the awareness, visibility and safety for cyclists also increases. Providing additional education, riding tips, and helmet availability through the extensive outreach of Capital Bikeshare is another step in improving safety on our streets.”

Capital Bikeshare has made significant strides over the last year in promoting safe riding. In addition to providing safety information on www.capitalbikeshare.com , on over 150 Capital Bikeshare map panels, and on the system’s monthly member newsletter, Capital Bikeshare also recently added decals with safe riding tips to the 1,200 bicycle fleet to actively engage and educate all riders.

Moreover, DDOT is actively seeking to work with area hotels in the city to distribute helmets to casual users after a successful pilot with the Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group. Arlington County also has a popular street safety and courtesy campaign coined “PAL” that provides education and tips for everyone, whether biking, walking, or driving. PAL stands for being predictable, alert and lawful.

Capital Bikeshare has also rolled out programs that make memberships more affordable for low-income individuals. That includes partnerships with Bank on DC and Back on My Feet DC .

Members who choose the new monthly installment plan will pay $84 for an annual membership, a slight increase from the regular cost of an annual membership, allowing Capital Bikeshare to cover the cost of transaction fees.

Both new initiatives are now active on www.capitalbikeshare.com . In addition, Capital Bikeshare now offers an auto-renew option to make it easier for monthly and annual members to keep their memberships current. When members purchase or renew an existing membership, they can opt into this feature which will automatically renew their membership when it expires.

Capital Bikeshare is a bikesharing program developed through a partnership between the District Department of Transportation and Arlington County and operated by Alta Bicycle Share, Inc. Capital Bikeshare offers four different membership options, Annual, Monthly, 3-Day and 24-hour for access to a fleet of 1,400 bicycles located at over 150 stations across Washington, DC and Arlington, VA.