Hamilton's new bike share program will hand out free annual membership passes to hundreds of low-income residents thanks to a partnership with Union Gas.

SoBi Hamilton launched officially in March, making its 750 distinctive blue bikes available for rent at stations from Dundas through the city to Gage Park. Cyclists can use pay-as-you-go cards to rent the bikes or buy monthly or annual memberships, the latter costing $85.

Now, a $25,000 donation from Union Gas will allow the non-profit to hand out around 250 free memberships to low-income residents through a new Everyone Rides program.

"We think there are a lot of people who will really benefit from the service," said community manager Chelsea Cox, estimating close to 30 per cent of residents in the main bike share service area live below the poverty line.

SoBi will look to local agencies like Wesley Urban Ministries to co-ordinate and distribute the passes, she added.

"They have the expertise to help select clients and keep in contact," said Cox, who added SoBi will hold training workshops to ensure users understand how the service works.

An annual pass, for example, provides an hour of free ride time each day, but charges accumulate after that time is used up.

Since launching in March, the bike share program has amassed 3,500 membership or pay-as-you-go card holders, Cox said. A new station is also being installed near the city's stadium before the Pan Am Games.