In 2019, RideKC Bike upgraded our system with new smart, lock-to e-bikes. For the past five years, we have collected and analyzed data from the system, talked to our peer programs in other communities, and listened to our riders’ questions and comments.
We saw a common theme in our research: it’s time to make improvements and efficiencies that preserve flexibility and value for our riders.
“Love the service, need more bikes”
“There’s never enough bikes at my hub”
“Please put more bikes at Armour and Main”
“Not enough full charged bikes in Country Club Plaza”
We agree! So in addition to the new bikes and high-capacity batteries we added this summer, RideKC Bike will roll out the following updates on January 1, 2025:
New RideKC Bike Wrangler Program gives people an opportunity to earn free access to bike share!
Monthly RideKC Bike Members automatically get their next month’s membership for FREE when they return 20 or more out-of-hub bikes in a calendar month back to designated hubs.
Out-of-Hub Parking Convenience Fee
Users will still have the option to park outside of the hubs designated on the RideKC Bike app, but they will be charged a $2 out-of-hub convenience fee. Bikes parked at designated hubs are less likely to be vandalized or stolen, and more bikes at hubs means more users can reliably find a bike when they need it. We hope this new policy will encourage more people to return their bikes to hubs, which in turn means less time RideKC Bike staff must spend recovering unlocked bikes and stocking hubs.
Per-minute rate updates
Classic pedal bike per-minute rate will increase from 10 cents to 15 cents per minute.
Electric bike per-minute rate will increase from 15 cents to 25 cents per minute.
FAQs
I’m already a Member, how will I be affected?
Membership and Explorer Pass rates are not changing. The new per-minute rate will only apply if you have overage time beyond your Membership minutes. If parking outside of a designated RideKC Bike Hub, there will be a $2 convenience fee.
How do I know where designated RideKC Bike Hubs are located?
The RideKC Bike app displays all available locations. They are often (but not always) a royal blue bike rack.
How do I enroll in the Bike Wrangler Program to earn free access?
Yeehaw! Anyone with a RideKC Bike Monthly Membership will be eligible to become a Bike Wrangler. Earn one Return-to-Hub point for each stray RideKC Bike you corral and lock up at a designated hub. Once you have earned 10 Return-to-Hub Points you automatically become a Bike Wrangler!
By earning 20 Return-to-Hub Points in a calendar month, a Bike Wrangler qualifies for a free Monthly Membership that is redeemable for the subsequent month. Click here for more details about the Bike Wrangler Program.
How will these changes benefit RideKC Bike Annual or Monthly Members?
Together these updates will improve service, ensuring that more bikes are ready to ride when you are.
The new Bike Wrangler program will allow Monthly Members the opportunity to earn free access to bike share by simply returning bikes to designated hubs.
The out-of-hub convenience fee will help ensure that more bikes are readily available, and reduce instances of theft or vandalism.
Will these changes apply everywhere in the Kansas City Metro?
The Bike Wrangler program will be available to any RideKC Bike Monthly Members.
The out-of-hub convenience fee is subject to all areas of the system, except for Johnson County Parks and Lenexa where ending a trip has always been restricted to only designated hubs.
The per-minute rate updates apply to all areas of the Kansas City Metro.
Need more information? Click here to find the rest of our Frequently Asked Questions.
These updates go into effect January 1, 2025.
If you’ve taken our annual surveys, contacted our customer service team, emailed, or sent a message on social media, THANK YOU for helping improve bike share in the Kansas City region! We are confident that these updates will get more people biking more often, and when it comes down to it, that’s really why we’re here.
Please send us an email at info@ridekcbike.com if you have any questions.