City asks Red Bike to close stations overnight during July 4 weekend

Red Bike will halt overnight checkouts in Over-the-Rhine and the Central Business District through at least the Fourth of July weekend as city leaders seek to crack down on a rise in overnight violence across downtown Cincinnati.

Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, users won’t be able to check out bikes from stations south of McMicken Avenue to the Ohio River. The nonprofit bike-share company will still allow returns and trip closures during that period.

The City of Cincinnati also is limiting the use of Bird and Lime electric scooters.

“To prioritize safety downtown, Red Bike agreed to the city’s request to close stations in OTR and the Central Business District this weekend,” the city wrote in a social media post. “The city is also restricting the use of rental e-scooters in those areas.”

The statement didn’t specifically indicate what safety concerns they had about Red Bike and rentable e-scooters. But city spokesperson Mollie Lair later clarified the rationale behind the move.

“This is another intervention the City is piloting that is aimed at reducing crime in our urban core,” Lair said. “Both police and residents have raised concerns about the use of Red Bikes and rental e-scooters in criminal incidents. The City will evaluate the effectiveness of this closure and determine whether to continue it moving forward.”

The pause – requested by the City Manager’s Office – comes as Cincinnati police step up efforts to control late-night crime. On Monday night, hours after the city’s new roving task force began patrols, two men suffered injuries in a drive-by shooting in OTR, according to WCPO.com.

“This last month has been a real challenge — particularly in hotspot, concentrated areas where these crimes persist,” Mayor Aftab Pureval told reporters on June 24 as part of the roll out of a new summer public safety plan.

In its statement, Red Bike apologized for the disruption and urged riders with questions to call 513-621-2453 or email support@cincyredbike.org.

“We recognize the challenge this may cause our members, and appreciate your patience and understanding,” the statement reads.