Those red bikes

Over the past month, Madison’s population has drastically increased—its bicycle population, that is.

 The City’s latest alternative transportation initiative, Madison B-cycle finished placing its eighteenth bicycle station downtown this week. B-cycle is a bike-share program funded by Trek Bicycle Corporation.

 As the project marches toward its goal of 35 stations and 350 bicycles by September 1, more bright red bikes and B-cycle stations will continue to pop up downtown throughout the summer.

 With more stations around town, the number of people using B-cycle should also increase, B-cycle City Manager Brian Conger said.

 Since June 1, B-cycle has tracked over 1,200 trips using the community bicycles and about 250 purchased memberships, he said.

 While the program is well on its way, the process is not without challenges.

 As a new program, many residents and downtown commuters still have questions regarding how the program works and how it can benefit them, Conger said.

 In the future, B-cycle can help reduce traffic congestion, get more people to experience the city in a new way, help save money on parking or buses, and transform the way they commute to work, he said.

 But first, Madison residents and commuters must understand how B-cycle works. With help from Conger and the Madison B-cycle website, here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

 I’ve seen B-cycle stations around the downtown area, but what is their purpose and how should I use them?

 B-cycle is an easy and convenient way for people to make short trips in the downtown area, allowing residents to hop on a bicycle and quickly get to their destination. To use the bicycles, an individual can purchase one of three memberships: a 24-hour pass ($10), a seven-day membership ($30) or an annual membership ($65 or $45 for students).

 Individuals can purchase a 24-hour pass at a B-cycle station or online. Seven-day or annual memberships are purchased online only. Annual memberships will receive a B-card (like a credit card) which allows for easier, faster bicycle access that bypasses using the kiosk.

 Even if I have a membership I can still get charged for using a B-cycle. Why are there extra fees?

 B-cycle requires an access fee (the membership) to use the bicycles. After the initial access fee is purchased ($10 for a 24-hour pass, for example), the individual then has 30 minutes to return the bicycle before they are charged an additional usage fee. This usage fee is $2 for an additional 30 to 60 minutes and $5 for each half hour after.

 However, once an individual purchases a membership, they have an unlimited number of times they can check-in and check-out a bicycle. If an individual does not want to pay for additional usage fees, they can simply return the bicycle to a station within the half hour limit and check out a new one, free from extra charges. This system applies to all memberships.

 B-cycle works this way to discourage people from having bicycles out of stations for long periods of time, allowing many people to use the bikes at different times. This ensures the 350 bicycles keep circulating downtown.

 If B-cycle allows unlimited access (with a membership) to bicycles for under 30 minutes, how can this system work for me?

 Here’s an example: An individual who lives near South Breese Terrace by Camp Randall, the location of a station, and works near the Capitol, could purchase an annual membership and commute to work each day using B-cycle.

 First, they would check out a bicycle at the Camp Randall B-cycle station. Then, ride the bicycle to work at the Capitol, check it into any station nearby, such as the one at Wisconsin Avenue and East Mifflin Street and go to work.

 For lunch, they could check out a bicycle from a station, head down State Street to the B-cycle station at Hawthorne Court and State Street, check in the bicycle and enjoy lunch on the 100 block of State Street. They could again use B-cycle to return to work and then home with check-ins and check-outs along the way.

 All trips take shorter than 30 minutes and the rider would receive no additional charges. An individual could repeat this pattern, or use B-cycle for other purposes, from March 15 to December 15 (the stations close for winter) for an annual fee of $65 and no more.

 To access a B-cycle the program requires an individual to purchase a membership, why can’t I just pay for one half hour on the bicycle?

 Access fees help sustain the program and collect revenue to allow operations to continue. These operations include hiring mechanics to maintain and balance the bicycles, supporting customer service and covering administrative fees, among other things.

 With B-cycle’s unlimited number of bicycle check-outs, the program can be valuable to commuters when compared to filling up a gas tank or buying a bus pass.

 What should I do if a station is full and I have nowhere to put my bicycle?

 B-cycle will have 350 bicycles in circulation by the end of the summer, but the stations hold room for many more bicycles. This ensures most stations will have available docks to check in your bicycle most of the time. B-cycle mechanics will also help balance the number of bicycles at each station in addition to repairing and maintaining bicycles.

 But if a person does encounter a full station and their 30 minute time limit is nearly finished, they can use the station’s kiosk to request a free extra 15 minutes. This time allows them to find an open station and return their bicycle.  However, this step should rarely be necessary.

 Prior to checking out a bicycle, individuals can also check open stations online, at any station kiosk or by using a downloaded cell phone application.

 What are the B-cycles like to ride?

 The bicycles were made for utility purposes. They include a basket on the front, three gears, a bell, an adjustable seat, a built in lock for temporary parking and lights on the front and back that turn on when pedaling. Individuals can check out a bicycle anytime between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. and return one 24 hours a day. If a problem arises while riding, a B-cycle customer service line is available and shown across the bicycle’s handlebars.

 For more information or to sign up for a membership, visit madison.bcycle.com. Make sure to watch the slideshow below to hear Madison B-cycle City Manager Brian Conger explain how to check out a bicycle.