A new way to explore Ithaca!

Parking rules

Pay as you go

Day Pass

Monthly

Basics

• What is Ithaca Bikeshare?

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  Ithaca Bikeshare is a class 1, pedal-assist electric bikeshare network, servicing the residents and visitors of the Ithaca, NY area.

• What are pedal-assist e-bikes?

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  Pedal-assist e-bikes ride like any other bicycle. Use the pedals to get moving and squeeze the brakes on the handlebars to slow down or come to a stop. As you pedal, a small electric motor adds assistance to boost momentum, making it easier to go long distances or ride up steep hills. You will still have to pedal hard to get up some of Ithaca’s more famous hills.

• What is the max speed of an Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  Ithaca Bikeshare bikes can reach a maximum speed of about 16 miles per hour.

• I want to ride an Ithaca Bikeshare. How do I get started?

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  First, you need to download the Ithaca Bikeshare app and create an account. The Ithaca Bikeshare app is available for Apple IOS and Android. Once you have downloaded the app you will need to verify your phone number, enter your name, and email address and agree to the terms of service. Our app requires access to your phone's bluetooth, location and camera. We recommend that you verify your email address so that you may receive email receipts of your trips.

• How do I book an Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  Once you set up your account, you can use the app to find and scan any available bike. The QR codes that you scan to book your bike are located on the lock of the bike, as well as the small plate between the handlebars. When you scan a bike for the first time, you will need to select a rate plan, and add a credit or debit card to your account. For information on our income-eligible Easy Access plan please contact support@goithaca.org.

• How do I unlock an Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  After you’ve scanned the bike and started the trip, tap on the unlock button and the lock will open. Be sure to check the end loop of the lock tether and secure to the hook under the bike seat to keep the tether from tangling in the rear wheel spokes during your ride.

• What should I do before riding an Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  Before beginning a trip, use the app to identify a convenient hub to end your ride. Any trip that ends outside of a hub will be charged a $1.50 convenience fee. If needed, you can also adjust the seat height by lifting the collar lock and moving the seat post up or down and then closing the collar lock. Always be sure to test the brakes before going on your way and don’t forget to wear a helmet!

• How do I end my trip?

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  To end your trip, ride to your chosen hub or your destination and lock up your bike by sliding the lock through the back wheel until you hear a beep. Please be sure to not block any crosswalks or sidewalks, and keep things looking neat whenever possible. The app will verify if you are within a hub or not, and that the bike is locked. Choose to end the trip in the app and you will be prompted to take a photo of the parked bike. Please make sure the photo is the whole bike, locked, and in an upright position.

• How much does it cost to use an Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  Our standard rate is Pay as You Go. With this rate plan, you pay $1.50 to unlock the bike and 25-cents per minute for use (plus tax).

  We also offer a Day Pass for $25 plus tax. The Day Pass provides the user with 2 hours of ride time in a 24-hour period. There is no unlock fee associated with the Day Pass. If you exceed 2 hours of ride time you will be charged 25-cents per minute for use.

  The Monthly Membership is $60 per month plus tax. These memberships include 30 minutes of free ride time per day and no unlock fees. If you go over your daily minutes you will be charged a prorated fee of 25-cents per minute. Please note that there is no roll over of unused daily free minutes.

  All trips that do not end within a hub will be subject to a $1.50 convenience fee.

  There is also an Easy Access membership available for eligible riders with household income at or below 150% of the US Federal Poverty Guideline. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit our website, ithacabikeshare.org

• What is a hub?

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  Hubs are officially designated parking areas that are highlighted on the service area map in the Ithaca Bikeshare app. All trips that do not end within a hub will be subject to a $1.50 convenience fee.

• What is the service area?

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  The service area is the bordered zone on the Ithaca Bikeshare App. Bikes that are left outside of the service area are subject to penalty fees. Please end all trips within the service area.

• Can I ride an Ithaca Bikeshare bike on the sidewalks?

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  NO. Riding on sidewalks poses a danger to both pedestrians and to riders. Bike riders are required to follow all basic traffic rules and ride on the roads. When possible, choose routes along bike boulevards, with bike lanes, or on lower traffic streets. Here's a link to some resources about how to find those routes and the safest road riding practices. Please follow all basic traffic rules.

• Can I ride an Ithaca Bikeshare bike on the Black Diamond Trail, South Hill Recway, and East Hill Recway?

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  Yes. Please be respectful of other trail users, give notice and give plenty of space when passing. These trips must end back within the service area in Ithaca.

• Do I have to wear a helmet?

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  Ithaca Bikeshare and Bike Walk Tompkins STRONGLY recommends that riders wear a helmet.Children under 14 years of age must wear bicycle helmets according to NYS law.

• Is there a minimum age to ride an Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  All riders must be at least 16 years of age and have the consent of a parent or guardian 18 years or older.

• Can I book more than one Ithaca Bikeshare at a time?

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  Yes. You may rent 3 bikes at one time. You will be charged separately for each bike you unlock. All the riders will be the responsibility of the person associated with the account that unlocked the bike.

• What if I have questions or issues?

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  You may contact us via help@ithacabikeshare.org or by tapping the “?” icon in the bottom right of the app. We do not offer real time customer service by phone. If you have an issue with your bike, please lock it up, leave it where it is and report to us by email.

Advanced

• How long does the boost last on a fully charged Ithaca Bikeshare bike?

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  Depending on the weight of the rider and elevation changes of the ride, the boost should last anywhere in between 30 to 40 miles.

• Do Ithaca Bikeshares work when the battery loses its charge?

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  Ithaca Bikeshare Bikes are designed to be ridden as a normal pedal bike should the boost run out. The app will show you how much battery power is left before you unlock. It is not as easy a ride without the pedal assist, but it will still get you around town. Especially down hill.

• Can I make a mid-trip stop outside of a hub?

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  Yes, just be sure to lock the Ithaca Bikeshare bike but do not end the trip in the app. While the bike is locked, no one else can book the bike but you will be charged normal usage rates. After you have run your errand, choose to unlock the bike in the app to ride to your destination hub.

• Can I ride outside of the service area?

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  Yes, you can ride an Ithaca Bikeshare bike outside of the service area. However, you are responsible for returning the bike to a hub at the end of your trip, even if you run out of boost. Bikes stranded outside of the service area are subject to penalty fees.

• Why do I have to take a picture at the end of my trip?

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  We ask riders to take a picture at the end of their trip to ensure that the bike is properly secured and responsibly parked out of the public's right of way. Failing to take a picture at the end of a trip can result in penalty fees.

• Do I take a picture of the QR code at the end of my trip?

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  No, we do not want a picture of the QR code. Please take a photo from the whole bike clearly showing it parked correctly in an upright position.

• How can I review my trip and membership charges?

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  To receive email receipts of trip and membership charges, you need to verify your email address. This is done by clicking on a link sent to your email.

• How do I verify my email address?

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  To verify your email address, tap on “Email verification” in the upper left corner of the app. Tap on “Send verification code”. The next screen will provide you with the field to enter the code. You will be sent an email verification code to the email address on file. Enter that code in the field provided in the app and moving forward you will receive trip receipts after each of your rides.

• How do I make changes to my membership status (opt in or opt out)?

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  To make changes to your membership, open our app and tap on your name in the upper left corner. This will pull up a sidebar of account options. Tap on “Memberships and Pricing”. From here, you can turn on or turn off auto renew or switch your membership plan. If you want to opt out of your current membership plan, just make sure auto renew is toggled to the off position.

• Is there a minimum or maximum height?

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  With our adjustable seats, our bikes can be ridden comfortably by anyone between 5’ and 6’5”.

• Is there a maximum weight limit?

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  We do not recommend riding our bikes if you exceed 250lbs.

Troubleshooting

• What do I do if the bike I book does not unlock?

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  Unlocking issues can be caused by a spoke pressing on the lock or a connection error between the app and bike's lock. If you have an issue unlocking a bike in the future, please do the following:

  • Make sure the wheel lock is not resting against one of the spokes on the rear wheel. If it is, turn the rear wheel slightly to move the spoke away from the lock.
  • If the wheel lock is not resting against a spoke and the lock will not release after two attempts to unlock, end your trip. If the bike is locked and the trip is only a few minutes long, you will not be charged for the booking.
  • Attempt to re-book the bike, or if another bike is available nearby, book that one instead.

• What do I do if there is a mechanical issue with the bike?

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  Please report any mechanical issues with the bike to customer support by tapping on the “?” icon in the lower right corner or the app. If the mechanical issue makes the bike unsafe to ride, please lock the bike and notify support. Please note, the loss of pedal assistance is not a mechanical issue.

• What do I do if the bike loses pedal assistance?

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  Fortunately, our bikes are designed to be ridden as regular pedal bikes. If you do not wish to continue your trip without pedal assistance, ride to the nearest hub to end your trip and locate a new bike to book.

• What do I do if I am ending a trip at a hub, but the app is saying I am not at a hub?

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  The app uses your phone's GPS when ending a trip. Make sure that the app has access to your location and Bluetooth. If you are standing at the hub with the bike and the app is indicating that you are out of the hub, tap on “Retry end trip” so that the app can recapture your location. This should fix the issue. If it does not after three attempts, notify customer support by going back to the map view in the app and tapping on the “?” icon in the lower right corner. You do not need to stay with the bike. We will be able to end the trip for you and adjust the trip cost to match the lock times.

• What do I do if I cannot lock the bike?

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  If you are trying to end your trip but cannot close the wheel lock, first make sure that the spokes are not blocking the lock ring. If the lock ring is reaching the other end of the lock, but not clicking in place, tap on the “Recalibrate” button. Wait for ten seconds and then try locking the bike again. If this does not work after three attempts, notify customer support by going back to the map view in the app and tapping on the “?” icon in the lower right corner. Our fleet team will be dispatched to secure the vehicle. You do not need to stay with the bike. We will be able to end the trip for you and adjust the trip cost.

• What do I do if I cannot upload the end of trip photo?

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  Please make sure that the app has access to your phone's camera. If you are unable to upload a photo after three attempts, notify customer support by going back to the map view in the app and tapping on the “?” icon in the lower right corner. We will be able to end the trip for you. We recommend taking a photo of the bike as you parked it in case we have any additional questions.