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Frequently Asked Questions
What is bikeshare?
Bikeshare consists of a network of bicycles shared in a community and encouraged for short-term use. Users check out a bike from any station, ride the bike, and return the bike to any station in the system. Bikeshare is a relatively low-cost transportation option that offers freedom and flexibility in getting where you need to go. Many cities around the world have invested in bikeshare and recognize its potential economic, environmental and social benefits.
Bikeshare is designed for short, point-to-point trips, while bike rentals are typically intended for longer, recreational rides.
A station consists of three main parts: docks, a kiosk and a map.
Each bike is locked at a dock, where it can only be released using a WE-cycle keycard or Unlock Code. The dock has a slot for the key card and a keypad for the Unlock Code. Each dock has a red, yellow, and green light indicator. A red light indicates a broken bike that cannot be unlocked or used. A yellow light means "loading," or wait one second. A green light indicates the bike is ready to be released.
Kiosks are available at each station. (Click and scroll here for a visual explanation.) They can be used with a key card or the app Transit. Select stations in Aspen also take credit cards.
Each station also features a system map to help determine your location, as well as other stations in the system.
Bikeshare is perfect for short-distance trips around town. Riders use bikeshare to get to work, go to events, and access other forms of transportation such as bus and rail. Bikeshare is also ideal for running errands, going to appointments, or meeting up with friends. Others use bikeshare for exercise or simply getting fresh air.
Bikeshare is useful even if you have your own bike. Perfect for short, one-way trips, bikeshare can be used when you don’t have your bike with you. Worried about finding bike parking or your bike being stolen? Bikeshare helps get you where you need to go without being concerned about the security of your personal bike. There’s no need to carry your bike lock with you, and bikeshare spares your bike from wear and tear.
WE-cycle currently has 50 stations in Aspen, Basalt, and Snowmass Village.
See the Aspen, Basalt,and Snowmass Village Station Maps for all bike station locations.
How it works?
WE-cycles are for transit: short, frequent, point-to-point trips between stations. Ride to and from bus stops, work, restaurants, events, home and lodging
You can ride for 30 minutes for FREE! If you keep a bike out for longer you will be charged overtime fees: silver pedal bike $0.50/min, blue e-bike $5.00/min. The clock stops when your bike docks.
If you'd like to ride longer, consider renting a bike from one of our local bike shops. Find a list of options here.
If there are no empty docks, we'll give you an extra 15 minutes to get to another station. Using your app, Transit, click the full station to where you want to return a bike and you will be given a time credit. Or, insert the credit card with which you signed up into the kiosk and select the TIME CREDIT option. If you are at a station that isn’t near any others, give us a call and WE can help you out: 970.205.9222.
If there are no bikes at a station, it means that the WE-cycle system is out of balance, and our Operations Team is working to get bikes redistributed. You will have to get a bike from a nearby station. Download Transit so you always have real-time bike and dock availability.
Signing Up
There isn’t a security deposit when you sign up. A credit card authorization is required in the event that you incur overtime charges and/or damage the bike.
For liability reasons, your Unlimited 30-min Ride Pass is non-transferable.
You can check out up to one bike per credit card, whether at the kiosk or by downloading Transit.
For liability reasons, we can only allow one rider per account. If you would like to check out multiple bikes for your group, we recommend getting each member to download Transit.
Extra charges are billed immediately. The credit card with which you signed up will be automatically charged when your ride exceeds 30 minutes. If the charge is incorrect or you have questions, please give us a call at 970.205.9222 x2 for Account Support.
Yes! Download Transit, log in to the system, and start riding right away. If you prefer to wait for a key card, log in to your WE-cycle Account select the "I would like a key card" option. You can have it mailed to you ($5 donation) or arrange to come by one of our WE-cycle offices and pick it up (free).
Please give us a call at 970.205.9222 x2 for Account Support.
How to ride?
Insert your key card into the dock or type the Unlock Code on the dock’s key pad. When the light turns green, lift the bike seat and firmly pull backward on the bike to slide it out of the dock.
Push the front wheel of the bike firmly into the dock. The green light lets you know that the bike is docked and properly locked. The yellow light indicates "loading," be patient. If the red light on the bike dock stays on, remove the bike and try another empty bike dock. Insider tip: place your foot on the pedal and push the bike into the dock with your foot.
Just re-insert your key card into the dock or get a new Unlock Code at the kiosk or on Transit.
Neither the City of Aspen, the Town of Basalt, nor the Town of Snowmass Village requires helmet use, though WE-cycle highly recommends wearing a helmet. Stop by a local bike rental shop for a helmet rental.
The bike can hold 265 pounds and the basket can hold 18 pounds.
WE-cycle bikes are built to withstand a lot of use. The sturdy aluminum frame, puncture-resistant tires, and fully covered components keep the bikes on the street and out of the shop.
Safety
While no form of transportation is risk-free, bikeshare has been designed with safety in mind. Our upright, cruiser-style bikes are built to be both durable and comfortable. Each bike has a bell, self-powered LED lights on the front basket and in the rear of the bike, and several reflectors to make sure it is easily seen by other people. When riding WE-cycle, riders should stay alert to surroundings; don’t ride with headphones. We strongly encourage all riders to wear a helmet to reduce the risk of head injury in the event of a crash.
Cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while riding. Although adults 18 years and older are not required by law to wear a helmet, we recommend all riders wear a helmet to reduce the risk of head injury in case of an accident.
- Ride with traffic
- Obey all traffic signs and signals
- Yield to pedestrians
- Stay off sidewalks
- Avoid main arteries and choose bike paths and bike/ped ways (find them on WE-cycle maps)
- Never ride distracted
- Use hand signals
WE-cycle riders may ride on streets, in bike lanes, and on bike paths throughout Aspen, Basalt and Snowmass Village. We recommend avoiding main arteries; in most cases bike paths and bike/ped ways are available as alternatives. We discourage riders from using WE-cycle on sidewalks, as this increases the risk of crashes at intersections and can pose safety issues for pedestrians.
Adjust the seat for your height, press the brakes to gauge resistance, and check that the tires are inflated. Do not try to ride a WE-cycle bike that appears damaged or out of order.
Troubleshooting
As the user, you are responsible for the bike and its full cost in the event that it is not recovered. WE-cycle will do its best to help you retrieve the bike. You should call us on 970.205.9222 as soon as possible and file a police report if necessary. To prevent a WE-cycle from being stolen, use the built-in lock on the bike or simply return to one of our stations.
Call WE-cycle Support 970.205.9222.
If someone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Once an emergency is being handled by medical professionals, or if there is no emergency, report the accident to us: 970.205.9222.
We'll give you an extra 15 minutes to get to another station. Using your app, Transit, click the full station to where you want to return a bike and you will be given a time credit. Or, insert the credit card with which you signed up into the kiosk and select the TIME CREDIT option. If you are at a station that isn’t near any others, give us a call and WE can help you out: 970.205.9222.
Find available bikes on the app Transit or any station map. You can also call WE-cycle Customer Support at 970.205.9222.
Return the bike to the closest dock and press the “wrench” button. A red light appears on the dock, so no other rider can use it until it is fixed by a technician.
The We-Cycle Program
WE-cycle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community bikesharing program. WE-cycle seeks to transform the Roaring Fork Valley's landscape into one that prioritizes bicycles over vehicles, replaces traffic congestion with vibrancy, improves our visitor experience and retention, and demonstrates innovation and leadership. WE-cycle is a proven solution. Small resort towns and cities around the world have turned to community bikesharing as a solution to their traffic congestion, environment and health challenges.
WE-cycle complements existing transit. WE-cycle strengthens the Roaring Fork Valley's existing transportation system by allowing residents and visitors to use bikes instead of cars to access the bus, run errands, or simply move about town.
WE-cycle currently has 50 stations across Aspen, Basalt, Willits, El Jebel and Snowmass.
We have 255 bikes in the Aspen, Basalt, and Snowmass Village systems: 230 silver pedal bikes and 25 blue e-bikes.
WE-cycle is always interested in hearing from you. Please send requested station location details to info@we-cycle.org.
WE-cycle is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
WE-cycle bikes and stations launch in spring and operate through October. Much like the moguls on Aspen Mountain, bikes and stations "hibernate" (actually, they're removed and stored) until the next season.
WE-cycle's vision is to be a feeder and supplement to RFTA bus service throughout the valley. Our goal is to develop a hub-and-spoke style system centered around popular BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) stations in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Please donate. WE-cycle is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a public/private partnership. Even small donations make a big difference.
Send us an email at info@we-cycle.org and let us know you want to help!