MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BRAIN) — The new bike share system here, which includes 600 bikes and 60 stations, is the 50th system for Trek-owned bike share provider BCycle. It also is the company's largest smart bike system to date.
"Launching our 50th program is an important milestone, and we couldn't be prouder to be doing so with our Dash bikes and ecosystem, which puts the rider at the center of the bike share experience and further integrates bike share with public transit," said BCycle's president, Bob Burns. "There's no better time than now to launch this program, during National Bike Month, and in a great city such as Memphis. We're thrilled to welcome Memphis to the growing BCycle family and to be able to offer the people who live, work and play here a chance to experience BCycle Dash."
The city's Explore Bike Share system launched May 23. More than 250 volunteers docked the bikes into their stations for the first time that morning.
BCycle Dash incorporates elements that integrate bike share with a community's transit system offerings. BCycle Dash bikes can be docked on conventional bike racks, at its own Dash docks or next to a station if there are no available docks.
The bike incorporates front and rear integrated lighting, a heads-up display with trip info and 8-speed shifting. Riders can purchase a membership online, at a payment kiosk or through the BCycle app, where they will also be able to access trip history, routes and ride data. Riders can check out bikes directly from the BCycle mobile app, using an Explore Bike Share RFID card or a user ID and PIN on the bike's forward-facing touchscreen.
"Explore Bike Share's mission is to provide an affordable, accessible and approachable transportation option for all Memphians and visitors," said Trey Moore, executive director of Explore Bike Share. "BCycle's equipment and technology have allowed us to fulfill that mission equitably and intentionally with flexible station sites and easy-to-use bikes. Our team is excited to offer this state-of-the-art system to residents and tourists."
Memphis is the second community to launch a BCycle Dash system. Jackson, Wyoming, launched its Dash system in April 2018; Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, launch with Dash later this year.
Globally, BCycle currently has more than 15,000 bikes on the ground.
