FAQs
What is Santa Cruz BCycle?
Santa Cruz BCycle is an electric bike share program and a great way to get around town, see the sights, city and campuses. BCycle members can pick up a bike at any station and return it to that same station or another one when they’re done using.
Using the BCycle App, members can unlock a bike in seconds. Returning a bike is even easier. Just return the bike securely into any open dock.
Who can use BCycle?
Anybody 18 years or older! The bikes easily adjust to most riders' heights.
How much does a BCycle membership cost?
Members can only check out 1 bike under member pricing, per account. If members wish to check out more bikes, each bike will require their own membership or a walk-up pass.
Walk-Up Passes are $7 per each 30 minutes.
Monthly Memberships are $30 per month which includes unlimited 30-minute rides. This means that users can check out a single bike as many times as they’d like and will not incur usage fees if the ride is under 30 minutes. Usage fees apply at $3 per each 30 minutes thereafter.
Annual Memberships are $150 for the entire year which includes unlimited 60-minute rides. This means that users can check out a single bike as many times as they’d like and will not incur usage fees if the ride is under 60 minutes. Usage fees apply at $3 per each 30 minutes thereafter.
UCSC Students and Faculty can sign up for an Annual Membership with a great discount! Visit the
UCSC TAPS page to learn more and get riding. Discounted Annual Memberships operate the same as regularly priced memberships and have the same usage fees as listed above.
What are usage fees and how do they work?
Usage fees apply when any ride has elapsed over the initial ride time for the respective pass or membership purchased. Please refer to the above pricing. However, the billing date for usage fees varies. For single ride users, usage fees are billed the following day after the initial ride is taken. For members, usage fees are billed as a total sum on the 1st of every month. If you are noticing a charge on a day you did not ride or on the 1st of the month, you likely accrued usage fees. Please email us for any questions or concerns regarding usage fees charges at
santacruz@bcycle.comHow Does BCycle Work?
The BCycle mobile app is the center of your BCycle experience to sign up, find, and unlock electric bikes from docks as a dock-based system. This means that bikes can only be checked out of our docks and
MUST be returned to any of our docking stations to end your ride.
Unless previous communication has been made, failure to return the bike to one of our docking stations may subject a user to a $2750 bike replacement fee and will be charged if the bike is stolen, not returned or damaged beyond repair. All users are responsible for the bikes rented under their account, should a user let another individual utilize their rented BCycle, they are still responsible for that bike until the ride has ended and the bike has been returned to a dock. Replacement fees will not be waved if the bike was lent to another individual, and that individual did not return the bike, as the original renter is still responsible.
Members can also purchase an RFID card which allows the rider to check out bikes using their card.
Riding BCycle
How do I adjust the seat?
There is a lever where the seat post meets the frame of the bicycle. Open this lever to freely move the seat post up or down to your desired height. Firmly push the lever back into the closed position before beginning your ride.
Do the bikes fit everyone?
Santa Cruz BCycle electric bikes are designed to be easy to ride. They have a step-through frame, pedal-powered front and rear lights, baskets, three speeds, and comfortable, easily adjustable seats to fit heights 5′ to 6′ 5”.
How do the lights on the bike turn on and off?
The front and rear facing lights are Dynamo lights which are powered by the rotation of the wheels via. Start pedaling and the lights will turn on automatically. They’ll turn off shortly after you stop riding.
What if a station is empty?
Our team works diligently and does our best to make sure the entire system is balanced and there is an even ratio of bikes to docks. However, as a bike share service we do acknowledge that there might be occasions where bikes are not available at your nearest station, especially during peak riding times. If you notice this is a common issue at your local station, please send us an email at santacruz@bcycle.com
What if a station is full when I want to return my bike?
Considering the nature of bike share service, we acknowledge that returning a bike to a full station might happen. In this case, we ask that you find the nearest available station to return the bike to, this can be done by utilizing the app and filtering for available stations. Please keep in mind that users are fully responsible for the bike until it is properly docked. Abandonment of a bike is considered negligence and is subject to theft/damage. Users are liable for stolen/damaged bikes and are subject to a $2750 bike replacement fee.
What if I have a flat tire?
If the bike has a flat tire or you’re experiencing another issue with it, please return the bike to the nearest station and submit a repair request under the About tab via our app. You may also call/text our Customer Service number at 831-278-3132. If you elect to text, please include a detailed description of the issues you are experiencing. We appreciate your support in helping keep our bikes maintained!
What if I'm involved in an accident?
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. You should also call the police department in the jurisdiction the crash took place and file a report with an officer. This will help assure all important information is documented.
Contact our Customer Service at 855-964-3904 at the earliest appropriate time to notify us of the facts of the crash.
What if my bike is lost or stolen?
Immediately notify Customer Service by calling us at 831-278-3132. Please keep in mind that accounts will be suspended until the bike is retrieved and users are subject to a $2750 bike replacement fee for theft/damage.
What if I let my child, friend, or family member use my bike and they don't return it?
All users are responsible for any and all bikes checked out under their account. Until the bike is returned to a dock, there is a potential for your account to be blocked, and a bike replacement fee to be charged, especially if the bike is permanently lost or stolen, or is damaged beyond repair.
Be careful who you lend bikes to.
BCycle Electric
Why electric bikes?
Electric bikes have taken the cycling industry by storm, and now they're doing the same for bike share. They take you farther and faster, making your ride easier. Pedal assist makes a longer ride sweat-free. They open up the possibility of biking to individuals who may not have considered riding before. And most of all, they're fun!
During our pilot test in 6 cities, we found that ridership more than doubled on e-bikes. Our goal is to change the world by getting more people on bikes, and e-bikes help us do that.
How does the e-bike work?
BCycle e-bikes check in and out of the existing docks. When you check out an e-bike, turn on the power assist when you're ready via the display (purion) on the left side of the handlebars. You can turn the power off at any time during your ride when you don't want it. However, we would advise against this as the bikes are heavy. The power assist only works when you pedal. It gives you a boost as you pedal, so you feel like the wind is always at your back.
What should I know before I ride an e-bike?
First and foremost--wear a helmet!
Our bikes are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Check out our map via our app or website to see your nearest Bcycle station.
How fast does the e-bike go?
The BCycle electric is a pedal assist bike that amplifies your pedaling power and your ability to do and see more. It features a Bosch system that provides support up to 17 mph. Designed for comfort on commutes, daily cruises, and recreational rides. BCycle electric brings no-sweat bike share to your community; no hills, no sweat, all smiles.
How long will the battery last?
The Santa Cruz BCycle team will take care of charging the e-bike batteries for you. They last about 25 miles per charge. You can check the battery life on any e-bike before checking it out by turning on the display on the left side of the handlebars. If your battery dies, you'll still be able to ride--the assist will just stop boosting your ride. The good news is that it is still a great ride even without the pedal assist.
What if I just want to ride an old-fashioned BCycle?
Great news—our pedal assist is optional. You can choose to leave it off, and you’ll still have an awesome ride. The bike itself is a sleeker ride and still has 3 speeds, just like a pedal bike.
Customer Service
Are you having issues with your account or concerns about charges/usage fees?
Please contact us via text/call at 831-278-3132. We are available 7 days a week from 8:00am to 8:00pm PST. If you are contacting us after hours, we will respond the following day. You can also email us at
SantaCruz@bcycle.com with any concerns, feedback, questions, and/or suggestions you may have. Our email inbox is regularly monitored Monday through Friday from 5:00am to 8:00pm PST. If you are contacting us via email after hours, we will respond within 24 hours.
How do I get a station near me?
We are continuously working with the city and surrounding areas to expand our system so we can better serve the community. Please do not hesitate to send us any station location suggestions or recommendations via email at
SantaCruz@bcycle.comAlso feel free to fill out
this form.