B-Cycle

As its equipment nears the end of its useful life, Denver's bike-share operator wants to get with the times.

While B-cycle requires stationary docks to operate -- and lots of docks close together to operate really well — UrBike is "dockless." Riders will have the flexibility to go more places, because they don't require fixed stations. A GPS-based lock, controlled by a smart phone app, will let riders pick up bikes and drop off them off almost anywhere, in theory.

The number of B-Cycle trips fell for the third straight year in 2016.

Tomorrow, election day, Denver B-Cycle is making things a little more free by giving away 24-hour memberships. They usually cost $9. From the company’s press release: Denver B-cycle executive director Nick Bohnenkamp today announced that fees will be waived on Tuesday, Nov. 8 so voters may deliver their ballots to a voter service center at no … Continued

It will cost a little less to rent a B-Cycle for 30 minutes, at least until the end of August. Earlier this year, in an attempt to raise revenue while also growing ridership, Executive Director Nick Bohnenkamp eliminated the $9 day pass in favor of offering single rides of up to 30 minutes. But at $7 a … Continued

When you compare the way people use Denver B-Cycle to the way people use top bike-share systems across the world, it’s clear that our system comes up short. People just don’t ride it that much. What’s holding B-Cycle back from being a great bike-share system? Like other transit systems, bike-share systems are measured according to how intensely people use them. A … Continued

For now, at least, Denver B-Cycle charges more than any bike-share system in the country for a half-hour rental: $7. The new rate, which applies only to people without memberships, is in a two-month test period. It’s part of a larger change to B-Cycle’s fare structure that Executive Director Nick Bohnenkamp says is meant to … Continued

Bike advocates and city workers marked the opening of two bike-share stations by Union Station this morning. The newest station is on the redesigned Wynkoop Street, and the other is behind the Union Station facade on a pavilion near Wewatta Street. Together, the two stations add 35 docking points to the system, with B-Cycle adding 18 bikes as … Continued

Nestled in the Denver City Council’s “work plan” — a document that guides its priorities — is a noteworthy goal for the city’s bike-share system: “A several-year plan for erecting B-cycle stations citywide.” It’s a worthwhile target, as long as the stations are sited close enough together. For bike-share systems to work well, the network has to cover a lot of ground and … Continued