Category Archives: Press Release

RideKC Official Statement Regarding the Recent Tragedy

RideKC Official Statement Regarding the Recent Tragedy

Yesterday started out full of celebration and comradery as RideKC Transit (Streetcar, Bus, and Bike) carried thousands of excited fans to the Chiefs Super Bowl Parade and Rally. Unfortunately, things took a tragic turn, resulting in the heartbreaking death of one Kansas Citian and injuring at least 22 others, including innocent children. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by the senseless act of gun violence that transpired that day.

The Ride KC Transit team joins our City, and our entire community, in mourning this shattering loss, and we stand united in our commitment to fostering a safe and secure environment for everyone who utilizes Kansas City’s public transportation services. We recognize that events like this impact the fabric of our society, causing grief and leaving lasting scars on the affected families and the community at large.

Gun violence has become an insidious epidemic, affecting communities nationwide and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. It is incumbent upon us, as responsible stewards of public safety, to recognize the urgency of this issue and collectively work towards lasting solutions.

Our commitment to creating a safe community extends beyond our transit services. We pledge to work collaboratively with our passengers, neighbors, and City, County, and elected officials to ensure that our shared spaces are secure and welcoming. Together, we can cultivate an environment where everyone feels protected, supported, and free from the threat of violence.

Electric-assist RideKC Bikes coming to North Kansas City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 13, 2023

The City of North Kansas City will soon upgrade the bicycles available and the parking rules for its bike share program. Beginning January 17, 2023, a new fleet of smart electric-assist RideKC Bikes will be replacing the classic pedal bikes. The e-bikes feature electric motors that will give riders a boost when they engage the pedals and solid tires that never go flat.

Formerly, the City of North Kansas City required riders to park and lock RideKC Bikes at designated RideKC Bike hubs. The new rule takes advantage of the e-bikes’ smart “lock-to” technology, allowing users to use the built-in lock to secure bikes at existing RideKC Bike hubs, or any publicly-available bike rack within the RideKC Bike service area, which now includes North Kansas City.

This lock-to technology ensures that bikes are parked responsibly and out of the public right-of-way. RideKC e-bikes feature on-board GPS, which notifies local operating staff when the equipment needs servicing, charging, or is improperly parked.

Pricing, user instructions, and a link to download the RideKC Bike can be found on RideKC Bike’s website: www.ridekcbike.com/ride-with-us/. Locations for all RideKC Bikes and parking hubs are available in the RideKC Bike app.

“North Kansas City is proud to offer electric-assist bikes as a more accessible, equitable and healthier mobility option,” says Bryant DeLong, North Kansas City Mayor. “Electric-assist bikes help advance the priorities of the NKC Bike Master Plan and further positions our city as a leader in micromobility and transit in the region”

“Residents are really looking forward to electric bikes,” says Eric Vaughan, director of bike share with BikeWalkKC. “We are excited to be a part of North Kansas City’s future of connectivity.”

The public and members of the media are invited to an event launching the new fleet of electric-assist RideKC Bikes on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 4 p.m. at North Kansas City City Hall (2010 Howell Street).

About RideKC Bike: Launched in 2012, RideKC Bike is the Kansas City metropolitan area’s community bike share program and is operated by BikeWalkKC and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The system provides a unique integration of public transit and shared use mobility for residents and visitors. The bike share program is a part of the RideKC regional transit family of mobility services, including bus, MAX, streetcar, paratransit, and bike share services. For more information, please visit www.ridekcbike.com.

CONTACTS:

Eric Vaughan
Director of Bike Share, BikeWalkKC
816-945-9545
eric.vaughan@bikewalkkc.org

Kim Nakahodo
Deputy City Administrator, City of North Kansas City
816-274-6000
knakahodo@nkc.org

Partnership brings a new RideKC Bike hub to KCMO’s Historic Northeast

Through a new partnership with Independence Avenue CID, Kansas City University, and Jerusalem Farm, RideKC Bikes are available at a new hub on Independence Avenue as of November 8th. The hub is located at Independence Ave and Woodland Ave, but any bike rack in the neighborhood will be able to be used as a parking location.

These bikes complement the existing RideKC Bike fleet located at locations throughout Greater Kansas City, with 45 hubs in Kansas City, MO. This system features an electric-assist bike model that operates in a hybrid “dockless” format. Bikes are located at bike rack “hubs” in each location, which can be found using the RideKC Bike app.

The RideKC Bike system allows users to scan a bike to check it out, ride it safely, and then return it at any authorized hub location. Every bike has both a cable lock that wraps around a fixed object, and a wheel lock that automatically closes through the rear wheel, ensuring responsible parking. Bikes are one dollar to unlock and 15 cents per minute.

Click here to learn more about using RideKC Bike

About RideKC Bike: RideKC Bike is a partnership of BikeWalkKC, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, and the City of Kansas City, MO. The system provides a unique integration of public transit and shared use mobility. Fleets of traditional pedal bikes and electric-assist bikes provide residents and visitors with healthy, sustainable options for getting around the Kansas City metro. BikeWalkKC is the owner/operator of RideKC Bike.

Press Release: Kansas City Freight House and RideKC Bike Connect the Crossroads With RideKCBike Hub and Parking for Dozens of Bicycles and Scooters

Kansas City Freight House is partnering with BikeWalkKC and RideKC Bike to provide multi-modal parking and bike share in the Crossroads District. Freight House is sponsoring a RideKC Bike hub, and has installed scooter parking and custom-branded racks for up to 30 bicycles - without removing any car parking.

Research shows that people who walk and bicycle for transportation visit local businesses more often, and spend more money over time, than drivers do. And infrastructure improvements like good sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-modal parking zones slow car traffic and improve community health and safety for residents, employees, and visitors.

Home to over 2000 residents, plus art studios, small grocers, shops, and restaurants, the Crossroads District is a neighborhood and a destination. In recent years, First Friday events have transformed the area into a car-free plaza for art lovers one evening every month. Kansas City Freight House’s investment in bicycle and scooter parking complements the Crossroads’s emphasis on people-centered spaces and community connection.

“Kansas City Freight House is investing in the future of their business and their neighborhood. RideKC Bike has made working closely with the local business community a priority, and this project is another great example of the community’s ongoing support,” says Eric Vaughan, Director of Bike Share at RideKC Bike.

“This new bike share hub is a prime example of how public/private partnerships can benefit Kansas City,” said Kansas City, Missouri City Manager, Brian Platt. “These are smart investments that leverage and amplify the City's commitment to healthy and sustainable transportation and coordinate with the City’s existing efforts to continue building out the network of protected bicycle facilities, prioritize our Vision Zero initiative, and invest in safe, accessible, multimodal infrastructure.”

“We have been a part of the Crossroads neighborhood for 12 years and couldn't be more excited about the growth we have witnessed and realize there is much more on the way. As new residents and businesses continue to move into the neighborhood we need to refocus our transportation strategies away from a strictly car centric approach and begin to enhance our pedestrian and bike experiences. While the new bike share is a small start we have more projects on the way to improve our connectivity both on site and in the neighborhood. We look forward to a more walkable and bikeable community,” says Nicholas Grünauer, owner of Kansas City Freight House and the Grünauer restaurant.

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About RideKC Bike: RideKC Bike is a partnership of BikeWalkKC, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The system provides a unique integration of public transit and shared use mobility. Fleets of traditional pedal bikes and electric-assist bikes provide residents and visitors with healthy, sustainable options for getting around the Kansas City metro. BikeWalkKC is the owner/operator of RideKC Bike. Learn more at www.ridekcbike.com.

About Kansas City Freight House: Located in the heart of the cultural Crossroads Arts District, the historic Kansas City Freight House building is home to three restaurants, Jack Stack Barbecue, Lidia’s Kansas City, and Grünauer.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amy Scrivner
513-919-9613
amy.scrivner@bikewalkkc.org

Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) to launch partnership with RideKC Bike

Through a new partnership with Johnson County Park & Recreation District, RideKC Bikes will be available in several parks throughout Johnson County starting on Monday, June 1. This new system features a first-of-its-kind pedal bike model that operates in a hybrid “dockless” format. Bikes are located at hubs in each park, which can be found using the Drop Mobility app.

Bike hub locations include:

Shawnee Mission Park
Meadowbrook Park
Heritage Park
Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center
Mid-America West Sports Complex
Mid-America Sports Complex

Opening later this summer:

Mill Creek Streamway Park (at Lenexa’s Craig Crossing access point)
Arthur & Betty Verhaeghe Park

The parks-based system allows users to scan a bike to check it out, ride it safely, and then return it at any authorized hub location. Every bike has both a cable lock that wraps around a fixed object, and a wheel lock that automatically closes through the rear wheel, ensuring responsible parking. The first ride for new users is free; after that, bikes are one dollar to unlock and 10 cents per minute.

RideKC Bike is providing enhanced sanitation methods to ensure rider safety with every maintenance check, movement between hubs, and repairs.

For more information, visit www.jcprd.com/bikes.

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About JCPRD: For over 60 years the Johnson County Park and Recreation District has been enhancing the lives of the citizens of Johnson County through its parks, quality of programs, professionalism and response to developing trends. Each year, the District records more than 7 million park visitors and over 2 million recreation participants in over 4,000 programs. JCPRD’s mission is to enrich our community through excellence in parks, recreation, culture, education, and public service. Learn more at JCPRD.com.

About RideKC Bike: RideKC Bike is a partnership of BikeWalkKC, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, and Drop Mobility. The system provides a unique integration of public transit and shared use mobility. Three fleets of traditional pedal bikes, electric-assist bikes, and scooters provide residents and visitors with healthy, sustainable options for getting around Kansas City. BikeWalkKC is the owner/operator of RideKC Bike. Learn more at www.ridekcbike.com.

Contact:

Richard Smalley, JCPRD Marketing & Communications Manager
Richard.Smalley@jocogov.org or (913) 826-3442

Karen Campbell, BikeWalkKC Director of Development & Communications
karen.campbell@bikewalkkc.org or (816) 205-7056, ext. 2

RideKC Bikes and Scooters chosen as official operators in KCMO pilot program

Today we are excited to be part of the next phase of the City’s dockless shared use mobility program. Look for more RideKC Bike e-bikes on the streets of KC in the coming weeks, and soon the addition of scooters!

The City of Kansas City, MO interim dockless program started in Summer 2018, and is now moving into a year-long pilot program to develop rules and regulations for the rapidly-evolving worlds of micro-mobility and shared-use transportation.

RideKC Bike launched an electric-assist bike share program in early 2019, and as part of the new City Hall pilot program we will soon be adding e-scooters to the mix. Stay tuned for more details about our scooter launch in the coming weeks.

The RideKC Bike system is a new part of the RideKC family of mobility services, which operates a unique mix technologies that extend the fixed-route transit system and gives local residents and visitors a variety of options for getting around KC.

RideKC Bike now features:

Smart, electric-assist bikes and e-scooters operating in a hybrid docked/dockless system with lock-to technology that utilizes existing and new bike racks to ensure our devices are organized, thoughtfully deployed, and enhance public spaces.
Pedal bikes operating in a traditional docked, kiosk-based system (formerly branded as KC BCycle) at 42 locations in Downtown, Midtown, 18th & Vine, the Plaza, Brookside, Waldo, and North Kansas City.
Bike Share for All, ensuring all Kansas Citians have access to bike – especially those impacted by disparities in mobility, health, and economics.
Bike+Bus Pass allowing commuters to transfer seamless between RideKC Bus, RideKC Max, and RideKC Bike.

About RideKC Bike
RideKC Bike is a public/private/nonprofit partnership led by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and BikeWalkKC, operating a family of shared use mobility services powered by equipment and technology supplied by Drop Mobility and BCycle.

The bike share program is a part of the RideKC regional transit family of mobility services, including Bus, MAX, Streetcar, and now bikes and scooters. The shared use mobility services are operated by BikeWalkKC, a local 501c3 charitable nonprofit working to redefine our streets as places for people to build a culture of active living.

Major funding for bike share is provided by the City of Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the Health Forward Foundation, H&R Block Foundation, and many other sponsors and partners in the community.

BikeWalkKC’s Bike Share program to get new look after KCATA Board approves agreement

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Board of Commissioners approved a one-year agreement with BikeWalkKC for the Kansas City Bike Share system. The agreement will expand the RideKC family of transit options to include RideKC Bike, to be offered alongside existing bus, MAX, streetcar, paratransit, and ride share services.

This unique nonprofit/transit partnership will provide shared transportation services that extend and expand bike sharing in the metro. All existing bike share assets, including the 42 kiosks and 230 pedal bikes, will be rebranded as RideKC Bike. Some existing kiosks will be relocated to locations closer to transit later this spring. The RideKC Bike smart, electric-assist bike system will grow to include 150 new bikes located at hubs around the Kansas City, Mo., area. BikeWalkKC will continue to operate the bike share program.

“We are proud to support the growth of bike share in Kansas City,” said Robbie Makinen, KCATA president and CEO. “Bike sharing will provide important first-and-last mile options for those using transit in the metro, and provide healthy, green transportation options for residents and visitors to Kansas City.”

Both RideKC Bike options (pedal and e-bikes) operate using an app-based system. The e-bikes, powered by Drop Mobility, may be checked out and returned to any designated hub around the city, with per-hour and day rates available. E-bikes feature a “hold” option that allows riders to lock the bike to any bike rack and hold their trip until they are ready to return the bike to a hub and end their trip. Pedal bikes may be checked out from and returned to any of the 42 station-based kiosks (docks), with a range of membership options from hourly to annual. More information is available on the RideKC Bike website: www.ridekcbike.com.

BikeWalkKC and the KCATA have a long history of successful partnerships. Recent efforts include the new combined Bike + Bus pass and BikeWalkKC’s bike share equity project, “Bike Share for All,” which partners with local social service agencies to provide affordable bike share access for underserved communities.

“We are excited to be a part of the RideKC family,” said Eric Rogers, executive director of BikeWalkKC. “This partnership will ensure improved equity, access, and connectivity for transit users, and provide affordable, reliable, and convenient solutions for neighborhoods, communities, and individuals across the city.”

Media Inquiries

Karen Campbell
BikeWalkKC
Director of Communications & Development
(816) 205-7056, ext. 2
karen.campbell@bikewalkkc.org

Petrina Parker
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Public Information Officer
(816) 346-0391
pparker@kcata.org

MEDIA ALERT: BikeWalkKC to Pilot Region’s First Smart Bike Share Program with Drop Mobility and RideKC

MEDIA ALERT

BikeWalkKC to Pilot Region’s First Smart Bike Share Program with Drop Mobility and RideKC

Media Launch Event: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at KCATA, 1200 E. 18th St., KCMO 64108

Kansas City, Mo. | Nov. 28, 2018 – RideKC and BikeWalkKC announce a new partnership to bring shared-use electric assist bicycles to Kansas City. RideKC and BikeWalkKC will partner with Drop Mobility, a leading micromobility provider, to launch this new fleet of smart e-bikes. The newly branded RideKC Bike program, powered by Drop Mobility’s hardware and software, will launch Nov. 30 with 150 electric-assist bikes featuring “lock-to” smart technology, rolling out over the coming months.

As part of the program’s future growth, a unique new public/private/non-profit partnership will provide shared transportation services that expand and improve bike sharing in the metro. The lock-to system will work alongside the existing bike share system: using a smartphone app, a user locates a bike near them and unlocks the bike. When finished riding, the user parks and locks the bike to any designated bike rack or existing bike share station, using an attached lock, or docks at an existing bike share station. The app will provide location information for “hubs” or bike parking station locations. The bikes are equipped with on-board GPS, which notifies RideKC Bike operating staff when the bike needs service or charging. Electric-assist bikes help riders by boosting their efforts while pedaling, providing ease for climbing hills, longer rides and for users with physical limitations that prevent extended cycling.

“The RideKC family of transit options has just become more robust,” said Robbie Makinen, KCATA president and CEO. “And that’s good news for consumers. We understand that people want the freedom to choose how they get around. Now they have more choices than ever, from streetcars, to e-bikes, to buses, to bike share, to scooters to paratransit and more. This three-way partnership is another ‘first’ in the Kansas City transit space.”

“Shared mobility is rapidly evolving worldwide with new technologies such as dockless and electric-assist options,” said Eric Rogers, BikeWalkKC Executive Director. “We are excited to be working with Drop Mobility and the KCATA to roll out a new electric fleet to ensure bikes are responsibly secured, and yet accessible to more people.”

“Since our founding, we have been committed to furthering the advent of micromobility by creating operating models and hardware that both last for the long-haul and solve a real transportation need for all residents of the communities we serve. We’re delighted to be working with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and BikeWalkKC. Through this partnership, we will deliver a truly seamless, integrated and sustainable micromobility service,” said Qiming Weng, CEO of Drop Mobility.

Media inquiries contact:

Karen Campbell
BikeWalkKC
Director of Communications & Development
(816) 205-7056, ext. 2
karen.campbell@bikewalkkc.org

Cindy Baker
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Chief External Affairs Officer
(816) 510-2874 (cell)
cbaker@kcata.org

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s mission is to connect people to opportunities throughout the Greater Kansas City metropolitan region. KCATA was created in 1965 throughspecial state legislative action in both Missouri and Kansas. The region’s public transportationproviders are unified under one system, one name, one brand, RideKC, providing more than 16 million trips per year.

BikeWalkKC is a nonprofit bicycle/pedestrian advocacy organization serving greater Kansas City. Our programs and services empower citizens, communities, and professionals for excellence in advocating, planning, and engineering for better walking and bicycling.

Drop Mobility is a leading shared electric micromobility solutions provider for cities across North America. Drop operates a micromobility platform truly integrated into city transportation infrastructure, while providing highly reliable systems that entail not just quality hardware, but also attention to detail in software, operations and user experience. Users can find Drop Mobility vehicles on the Drop Mobility app. Checking out and returning a bike or scooter is seamless with a smartphone, and users can conveniently park vehicles within the service area.