How does the cost of Ford GoBikes compare to other U.S. bike share programs?

Think San Francisco's Ford GoBikes are expensive? Click through this gallery too see how much bike share rentals cost in other major U.S. cities. Think San Francisco's Ford GoBikes are expensive? Click through this gallery too see how much bike share rentals cost in other major U.S. cities. Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close How does the cost of Ford GoBikes compare to other U.S. bike share programs? 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

It's been a bumpy ride for San Francisco's bike share expansion efforts. Ford logo-emblazoned blue bikes have been battered, bruised and burned since their unveiling, but the two-wheeled cruisers are about to become even more ubiquitous.

By the end of this year, Motivate, the company running the Ford GoBike expansion, will roll out 7,000 bicycles across five Bay Area cities. The number of bikes on San Francisco streets has increased noticeably in the past few weeks.

A one-day pass, which allows a rider unlimited 30-minute trips in 24 hours, costs $9.95. The $124 annual membership, good for any number of 45-minute trips, will increase in price to $149 after Aug. 31.

In an expensive city like San Francisco, one might assume bike share prices would be as egregious as the cost of living. That turns out not to be entirely true.

SFGATE compared the costs of bike share programs in 14 U.S. cities, and the Ford GoBike rental fees are commensurate with the rest.

Click through the above gallery to see the bike share costs in other U.S. cities.

Those planning a daily ride to work will fare best in cities with cheaper annual membership fees, like Charlotte, N.C. ($65/year), Minneapolis ($75/year) and Austin ($80/year). That's compared to the priciest cities in the SFGATE survey: Miami ($300/year), New York City ($163/year) and Portland, Ore. ($144/year).

Tourists, or residents seeking an occasional ride, get the most bang for their buck in cities with cheaper day rates, like Minneapolis ($6/day), Washington D.C., and Boston (both $8/day). The priciest cities to cruise for 24 hours include Miami ($24/day), Austin, Portland, Ore., and New York City (all $12/day).

San Francisco's Ford GoBikes are neither the most expensive nor the most affordable – they're right in the middle.

Motivate also has a "Bike Share for All" program, offering discounts like a $5 annual program for those who qualify for certain low-income programs.

But that hasn't stopped many from calling the GoBikes a sign of gentrification. Columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. covered the issue comprehensively in the Chronicle: "if history is an indicator, the low-income residents in the Bay Area aren't going to be on the winning side on this one."

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.