Hubway Launches First Helmet Rental Station

Boston's bike sharing system has added its first helmet rental station.

Riders can now rent helmets from a HelmetHub machine at the Boylston Street/Mass Ave. Hubway station for $2 for 24 hours. The helmets can also be purchased for $20.

The city of Boston's bikes director, Nicole Freedman, says the single machine is a test run and that the city expects to add more in 2014.

"What we're doing is testing the system out right now, seeing how it works," Freedman said. "We'll have the off season to make tweaks and then we can come in strong in the next season."

Hubways says Boston is the first city in North America to offer helmet vending machines for its bike share program.