Frequently Asked Questions
Where can the bike stations be installed?The bike racks must be installed into concrete (not asphalt). Since the electronic locks on the bikes are battery-powered and controlled by the smartphone app, no power is required at the bike stations. Bike stations can include any number of bike racks. We offer two kinds of racks, single bike racks and 2-bike racks. You can create bike stations of any size and configuration depending on available space and needs. Mounting hardware is included for securing racks onto concrete. For more information about choosing bike station locations or installing the racks, contact us to request our installation guides.
How do you checkout a bike?
Riders check out bikes using our free smartphone app. Once riders install the app and register for your program, they use the app to view available bikes and select the bike they want to use. The App automatically unlocks the bike from the rack using the phone's Bluetooth to communicate with lock. Each bicycle has a Bluetooth lock attached to the front of the bike, which is used to 'dock' the bike into the rack.
Do riders need to sign a waiver? Yes, the system comes with a Liability Release and Waiver form that every rider needs to sign to use the bike share program. This waiver can be customized by you in the admin system. This waiver requires the rider to accept certain risks, accept financial responsibility for the bike, and accept personal responsibility for incidents or accidents while riding the bike. If you would like a copy of this waiver form for review by your legal department, please note this in the comments when you complete the quotation request form. Do we get training on the system? Yes. We provide on-line training on how the system works, how your riders will use the App to checkout bikes, as well as training on the administration software using your live system. We also provide video tutorials on bike assembly, rack installation as well as several troubleshooting and bike maintenance videos. In additon, our Customer Resources Page includes system and bicycle owners manuals, parts price lists and other helpful resources. If needed, we can also provide personalized on-line training on the software and operations. Are credit cards required to access the bikes? The bikes are free to use for your riders. However, you have the option to require a credit card during registration. This helps to reinforce that riders are financially responsible for the bike while in their possession. Can we use bikes we already have with your smartlocks and App? No. Our system only works with our bikes. Our bike frames are specially made for mounting the electronic Bluetooth smartlock, which is what is used for 'docking' the bikes onto our racks. What are the benefits of your bicycles for bike share use? Our bicycles are specially made for bike share and use components designed for ease of use, high durability, theft prevention, rider safety, and low maintenance. For instance, many of our bikes use the Shimano 7-speed gearing. This gearing provides a wide range of gearing to accommodate a wide range of riders on varied terrain. Our frames use oversized tubing with an anti-theft seat post, and some cabling is routed through the frame for security and durability. Our bikes also offer puncture-resistant tires to reduce flats, fenders to protect riders from water spray, and a basket for utility. Plus, our bikes use an alloy frame and components, which are more resilient to the elements. Some of our bikes are also available with a secondary frame lock that provides a way for riders to temporarily lock the bike while the shop or dine. How many speeds do you bicycles have? Most of our bicycles come standard with Shimano 7-speed gearing, so they are suitable for moderately hilly terrain, and rides of moderate to long distances. Our 7-speed bikes offer a 40% wider gear range than a 3-speed bike, making them much more versatile, and suitable for a wider range of riders and riding abilities. Our single speed models are designed primarily for locations with flatter terrain. What height range will your bikes accommodate? Our unisex frames are designed for riders 5' 2" to 6' 4". These frame designs makes our bikes accessible to both men and women. It's easy to adjust the seat height, and the seat post also has a security feature so it can't be lifted too high or removed from the frame. What maintenance is required for your bikes? We recommend periodic inspections of tire pressure, brakes and gearing. We provide a library of videos that cover routine maintenance and troubleshooting on our bikes. If you don't want to do the maintenance yourself, we partner with companies that provide on-site bike maintenance plans. Their network of mobile bike mechanics perform monthly bike tune-ups and safety checks to maximize bike safety and avialability. What assembly and installation is required? Bikes are branded, tuned and 95% assembled prior to shipping. Final assembly takes about 10 minutes per bike. We offer printed and video instructions to assist you with the bike assembly, and we include the necessary tools for assembly with your system. If you don't want to do the assembly yourself, we can arrange for on-site bike assembly upon delivery of your system (subject to availability of local mechanics). The bike racks get installed into concrete (not asphalt). The rack installation requires a drill for making holes in the concrete, and each rack takes about 5-10 minutes. Can someone lock the bike somewhere other than to the bike station? Temporarily, yes. All of our bikes offer a secondary lock that is attached to the bike frame. This convenient lock provides an easy way for riders to secure the bikes temporarily while they shop, eat, etc. This lock features a non-remove key function that traps the key inside the lock on the frame until the lock is secured and the bike is disabled. This prevents someone from losing the key while riding (because it's trapped in the lock), and ensures the bike is secure whenever it is left unattended. How long can someone keep a bike? This is entirely up to you. It's your bike share program. You set the policy for how long users can keep a bike before it needs to be checked back in. This should be communicated to riders when you launch the system. If riders abuse the system, you can easily ban them from accessing the bikes. What happens if someone doesn't return the bike? With the admin software, you can see exactly who has bikes, and how long they have had them. You can contact your riders directly to return the bike, and you can ban them from the system if they are abusing the bikes.
Do riders need to sign a waiver? Yes, the system comes with a Liability Release and Waiver form that every rider needs to sign to use the bike share program. This waiver can be customized by you in the admin system. This waiver requires the rider to accept certain risks, accept financial responsibility for the bike, and accept personal responsibility for incidents or accidents while riding the bike. If you would like a copy of this waiver form for review by your legal department, please note this in the comments when you complete the quotation request form. Do we get training on the system? Yes. We provide on-line training on how the system works, how your riders will use the App to checkout bikes, as well as training on the administration software using your live system. We also provide video tutorials on bike assembly, rack installation as well as several troubleshooting and bike maintenance videos. In additon, our Customer Resources Page includes system and bicycle owners manuals, parts price lists and other helpful resources. If needed, we can also provide personalized on-line training on the software and operations. Are credit cards required to access the bikes? The bikes are free to use for your riders. However, you have the option to require a credit card during registration. This helps to reinforce that riders are financially responsible for the bike while in their possession. Can we use bikes we already have with your smartlocks and App? No. Our system only works with our bikes. Our bike frames are specially made for mounting the electronic Bluetooth smartlock, which is what is used for 'docking' the bikes onto our racks. What are the benefits of your bicycles for bike share use? Our bicycles are specially made for bike share and use components designed for ease of use, high durability, theft prevention, rider safety, and low maintenance. For instance, many of our bikes use the Shimano 7-speed gearing. This gearing provides a wide range of gearing to accommodate a wide range of riders on varied terrain. Our frames use oversized tubing with an anti-theft seat post, and some cabling is routed through the frame for security and durability. Our bikes also offer puncture-resistant tires to reduce flats, fenders to protect riders from water spray, and a basket for utility. Plus, our bikes use an alloy frame and components, which are more resilient to the elements. Some of our bikes are also available with a secondary frame lock that provides a way for riders to temporarily lock the bike while the shop or dine. How many speeds do you bicycles have? Most of our bicycles come standard with Shimano 7-speed gearing, so they are suitable for moderately hilly terrain, and rides of moderate to long distances. Our 7-speed bikes offer a 40% wider gear range than a 3-speed bike, making them much more versatile, and suitable for a wider range of riders and riding abilities. Our single speed models are designed primarily for locations with flatter terrain. What height range will your bikes accommodate? Our unisex frames are designed for riders 5' 2" to 6' 4". These frame designs makes our bikes accessible to both men and women. It's easy to adjust the seat height, and the seat post also has a security feature so it can't be lifted too high or removed from the frame. What maintenance is required for your bikes? We recommend periodic inspections of tire pressure, brakes and gearing. We provide a library of videos that cover routine maintenance and troubleshooting on our bikes. If you don't want to do the maintenance yourself, we partner with companies that provide on-site bike maintenance plans. Their network of mobile bike mechanics perform monthly bike tune-ups and safety checks to maximize bike safety and avialability. What assembly and installation is required? Bikes are branded, tuned and 95% assembled prior to shipping. Final assembly takes about 10 minutes per bike. We offer printed and video instructions to assist you with the bike assembly, and we include the necessary tools for assembly with your system. If you don't want to do the assembly yourself, we can arrange for on-site bike assembly upon delivery of your system (subject to availability of local mechanics). The bike racks get installed into concrete (not asphalt). The rack installation requires a drill for making holes in the concrete, and each rack takes about 5-10 minutes. Can someone lock the bike somewhere other than to the bike station? Temporarily, yes. All of our bikes offer a secondary lock that is attached to the bike frame. This convenient lock provides an easy way for riders to secure the bikes temporarily while they shop, eat, etc. This lock features a non-remove key function that traps the key inside the lock on the frame until the lock is secured and the bike is disabled. This prevents someone from losing the key while riding (because it's trapped in the lock), and ensures the bike is secure whenever it is left unattended. How long can someone keep a bike? This is entirely up to you. It's your bike share program. You set the policy for how long users can keep a bike before it needs to be checked back in. This should be communicated to riders when you launch the system. If riders abuse the system, you can easily ban them from accessing the bikes. What happens if someone doesn't return the bike? With the admin software, you can see exactly who has bikes, and how long they have had them. You can contact your riders directly to return the bike, and you can ban them from the system if they are abusing the bikes.