Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

General Questions

1. What is bike sharing?

   Bike sharing is a new way of getting around the Kansas City metro. It’s affordable, clean, and simple. It’s good for your health, your wallet, and our environment.

   Imagine a network of bike stations located within a few blocks of one another throughout your community. As a bike-sharing member, you can unlock any of the specially designed bikes at any station and ride it to any other bike station. Fast, easy, inexpensive. It’s no wonder bike sharing has exploded in popularity the past few years.

2. What is BCycle?

   BCycle is a next-next-generation bike-sharing program. It is a zero-hassle, zero-emissions way to get around town. It’s a bike-sharing program that meets the transportation, health, and environmental needs of our communities. BCycle adapts to any size city, corporation, or campus. It’s inexpensive and spontaneous, but also practical.

   BCycle is the only bike-sharing program that measures the actual distance traveled on each ride and keeps track of the calories you’ve burned and the carbon emissions you’ve prevented. All this information is available on your personal BCycle web page/app.

   BCycle is the future of bike sharing, and it’s available now.

3. What about the actual BCycle?

   Imagine a bike that is always ready to ride, where and when you want to ride it. The tires are always inflated and the chain is never rusty. A bike with a basket to carry your knapsack. A bike that fits people tall and small, with front and rear lights and a bell. A bike that’s there whenever you need it, and gone when you don’t. That’s a BCycle. And it’s powered by the ultimate alternative fuel: YOU.

4. Who is RideKC Bike?

   RideKC Bike is a partnership of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, BikeWalkKC, and Drop Mobility. Electric-assist smart bikes started rolling out to the streets of KC in November 2018 and will number 150 by Spring 2019.

   The system is part of the RideKC family of mobility services. It is operated by BikeWalkKC and powered by Drop Mobility’s hardware and software.

5. How does BCycle work?

   BCycle relies on the integration of hardware and software to keep track of members and bikes, and all the interactions between users and bikes. Proprietary GPS (global positioning system) and RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies make it possible for bike sharing to be so smart that it is simple for users.

   All rides are tracked by the system and associated with members. Data such as distance, duration, calories burned, and carbon offset are captured and uploaded to personal web pages at BCycle.com.

6. How much does BCycle cost?

   The cost to use a BCycle is divided into two components: a membership fee and a usage fee.

   MEMBERSHIP FEE

   The membership fee provides unlimited access to a B-cycle system for a specific period of time: 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month, or 1 year.

   USAGE FEE

   Usage fees are charged based on the length of each ride taken by a member. Every time a member checks out a bike, the first half hour is always free. After 30 minutes a usage of $2 per half hour kicks in (60 minutes for annual members).*

   * 24-hour passes are available; see Rates/Membership page.

Membership and Fees

1. Can I become a BCycle member if I don’t have a credit card?

   Kansas City BCycle currently requires that all accounts be associated with a credit card.

2. What is a B-card and how does it work?

   A B-card is a plastic card/fob typically distributed to BCycle annual members. The cards contain an RFID chip uniquely associated with each member’s account. When the B-card/fob is presented at a B-cycle dock, the BCycle system is queried to confirm that the member is in good standing and to associate the member with the bicycle they are checking out.

   When a bicycle is returned, the BCycle system updates the member’s account.

   B-cards also contain a magnetic strip so the cards can be read by the credit card reader found on the kiosk, thereby allowing the B-card holder to obtain time credits when a station is full.

3. How do I get a B-card?

   B-cards are issued to all annual members. Use the Join Now button at the top of this page to purchase an annual membership and get a B-card/fob in the mail.

4. How often is my credit card charged for BCycle fees?

   For memberships of thirty days or less, a user’s credit card is charged once or twice. The membership fee will be charged at the time of registration. If any usage fees have accrued during the membership period, a second charge will be processed following the end of the membership period.

   For memberships of more than thirty days, there will be an initial charge for the membership fee at the time of registration, and thereafter there will be a monthly charge for usage fees, if any, accrued during each month of the membership. A final charge will be processed following the end of the membership period.

5. How does BCycle determine the ending date for membership periods described as “daily,” “weekly,” “monthly,” and “annual”?

   Membership periods begin the first time a bike is checked out following initial registration. Daily memberships end 24 hours later. Weekly memberships end 168 hours later (7 days times 24 hours). Monthly memberships end 720 hours later (30 days times 24 hours). Annual memberships end 8,760 hours later (365 days times 24 hours).

6. Can I buy a membership for someone as a gift?

   BCycle operators can sell prepaid gift cards in varying amounts. The gift card contains a promotional code the gift receiver enters on a registration page to partially or fully offset the cost of a membership. The person receiving the gift card must also register a credit card to cover usage fees and other possible fees.

Personal Account Management

1. How do I extend my membership to a later expiration date?

   If you have a membership that is shorter than annual, you can upgrade it to an annual membership by paying the additional amount necessary. To be eligible for this upgrade option, you must upgrade before your other membership expires. For example, if you bought a monthly membership for $20 on July 1 that expires on July 30, you can log in to your personal web page anytime in July and upgrade to an annual membership that will expire on June 30 of the following year. If the cost of an annual membership is $50, you will have to pay only $30 ($50 minus $20) for the upgrade.

   Annual members also have the option of automatically renewing their annual memberships by selecting Auto-Renewal in the Account Preferences section of their personal web page.

2. Will I still be able to access my personal BCycle web page after my membership period ends?

   Personal web pages remain “live” for three years after the lapse of membership.

3. What should I do if I’ve lost my B-card?

   Contact Customer Service immediately so that we can suspend the card and prevent anyone else from using your card to gain access to a bicycle for which you are financially responsible.

   A replacement card will be provided for a nominal fee.

   While waiting for your replacement B-card to arrive, you can check out bikes by using the kiosk at each station. You must present the credit card associated with your membership account.

4. What if I don’t agree with a credit card charge?

   Call Customer Service.

5. What if I want to cancel my membership?

   Membership fees are non-refundable, but if you wish to suspend your account to prevent any new usage fees, contact Customer Service.

6. How can my B-card get denied?

   Upon presenting your B-card at a station kiosk or dock for authentication, the system checks whether your account is in good standing. If there is a problem, your card will be denied. Please call Customer Service to determine the cause of the problem.

7. How do I receive or stop text notifications?

   When registering, members can choose whether they want to receive text notifications. Members can change that preference anytime thereafter by logging into their personal BCycle web page and managing their account settings.

8. How do I change or update my credit card information?

   Members can change their credit card information by logging into their personal B-cycle web page and managing their account settings.

9. What should I do if a bike gets damaged while I have it checked out?

   Return a damaged bike to a B-station, if possible, or if that is not possible, securely lock it and contact Customer Service. Do not ride a bike with damage that affects its safety features.

   Members are financially liable for damages to bikes under their care. Refer to Terms and Conditions for your system.

10. What if I lose the key?

    Contact Customer Service. Some systems will charge a fee for a lost key. Refer to the website of specific systems.

11. What if the bike is stolen? Will I be financially responsible for the loss of the bike?

    Contact Customer Service. Under the Terms and Conditions agreed to upon registering for membership, members may be liable up to a specified limit if a bicycle is stolen or lost while under their care. Refer to the Terms and Conditions posted on your system’s website.

12. When does my membership period begin?

    Your membership period begins the first time you check out a bike.

13. How do I find my personal ride statistics?

    Information about each member’s use of BCycles is posted to that member’s personal BCycle web page. Members must log in to view the information, which includes such information as the date and duration of each trip, the station from which the bike was checked out and the station to which the bike was returned, the distance pedaled, the usage fee (if any), the associated calories burned, and carbon offset.

14. How does B-cycle calculate my miles ridden, etc.?

    B-cycles are equipped with an internal GPS device that tracks the bike’s trips. Other technology associates each trip with the member who checked out the bike. After this information is transferred to B-cycle’s computers, algorithms translate the trip information into estimates of the number of calories burned and carbon emissions avoided (as compared to the use of an average automobile for the same trip). If there are technical errors with the data collection or transfer, an estimate will be applied and clearly noted as such.

15. Can I buy more than one membership with my credit card?

    When signing up online, only one membership can be associated with a credit card. When buying a one-day membership at a kiosk, more than one membership can be associated with a credit card, but the same card must be presented each time a bike is checked out during the membership period.

Using a BCycle System

1. Is it legal to ride a bike without a helmet?

   Adults may legally ride a bike without a helmet everywhere in the United States, but B-cycle strongly recommends wearing a helmet whenever riding a bicycle.

2. Does B-cycle provide helmets for riders?

   No. There are hygiene and safety issues with shared helmet use. It is the responsibility of the rider to supply his or her own helmet.

3. Can I check out a bike immediately after returning a bike?

   B-cycle reserves the right to impose a rule that requires a short waiting period between returning a bike and checking out another. Refer to the website of specific systems.

4. What do the lights and sounds on the dock signify?

   A B-cycle dock beeps when a bike has been unlocked or when the bike has been returned.

   When the bike is unlocked, the dock beeps continuously until the bike is removed (or 30 seconds, whichever comes first). The green light will also flash from the time the bike is unlocked until it is removed from the dock.

   When a bike is returned and properly inserted into the dock, the dock will beep three times very quickly, and the green light will likewise blink three times very rapidly.

   If the red “X” is lit on the dock, there is a problem with either the bike or the dock itself. Try a different dock!

   If the orange “bad card” sign is lit, we need to talk to you about a problem with your membership. Just call the Customer Service number printed on your B-card or displayed on the bikes and kiosk.

5. Can minors participate in B-cycle?

   The rules for participating in B-cycle vary from one system to another. Refer to the website of specific systems.

6. Are B-cycle systems open 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

   Each system sets its own operating hours. Refer to the website of specific systems. During closure periods, if any, it will not be possible to check out a bike, but bikes can be returned when the system is closed.

7. Are B-cycle systems open all year?

   Each system has its own schedule. Some systems will not be open in winter months. Refer to the website of specific systems.

8. What if the station where I want to return a bike is closed?

   Bikes can be returned any time, regardless of whether the system is open or closed. Two beeps and two green blinks indicate a successful return.

9. What if I have a flat tire?

   Please return a bike with a flat tire to the nearest B-station. If that is impossible, you must properly secure the bike with the built-in lock and contact Customer Service via phone.

10. What if I am involved in an accident?

    If there has been an injury, please dial 911 first. If you are qualified to administer first aid and there is a need, please help out to the limit of your abilities. If appropriate, contact the police, as well. As in any accident, exchange information with any other affected party and collect contact information from witnesses. Contact Customer Service at the earliest appropriate time.

11. What if a station is full and I need to find an empty dock to return a bike?

    If you have a bike you wish to return, but there are no available docks at a station, you must locate a station with available docks and return the bike there. The kiosk located at each station will provide real-time information about which nearby stations have available docks. The kiosks at full stations will also add 15 free minutes to your ride so that you can take the bike to an open station without financial penalty.

12. What if a station is empty, but I want to check out a bike?

    The B-cycle website and associated mobile applications for each system provides a map of all B-stations in that system with real-time information about the availability of bikes.

13. What if I want to reserve a bike?

    B-cycle does not allow members to reserve a bike.

14. What if I want to keep a bike all day or longer?

    B-cycle is a bike-sharing system designed to promote the constant use and turnover of bikes for short journeys. The pricing system provides incentives for members to keep their trips short. The longer the trip, the higher the usage fee. B-cycle system operators will seek to recover bikes that have not been returned after a specified period of time, and bikes not returned within a three-day limit will be considered lost and members will be liable for a replacement fee (see the applicable Terms and Conditions).

15. How do I find stations?

    The B-cycle website and associated mobile applications for each system provide a map of all B-stations in that system. In some locations, maps may also be displayed at B-stations.

16. Why can’t I sign up for more than one day at a kiosk?

    To make the kiosk sign-up process as simple and quick as possible, only one-day memberships are available at the kiosks.

17. Does my membership work in other cities?

    Yes! For Annual Members, your red B-card works in most B-cycle cities across the United States. This benefit is included in your KC B-cycle annual membership at no extra cost. B-cycle is a great way to experience new cities and get around without renting a car. Click here to learn more.