Dockless Bike Share Program Focuses on Flexibility

The City of Lexington has launched a bike share pilot program with Spin, a private company that provides the service at no cost to the city.  If you have used bike sharing programs in Louisville or Cincinnati, Lexington‘s deployment is different–it is dockless.  Dockless means you can check-out and check-in a bike almost anywhere, provided it’s on a sidewalk area and doesn’t block foot traffic.  For more details, click here. The video below details the step-by-step procedure for renting and returning a bike:

To make the bike share service  accessible for people who do not have a credit card, Spin will be offering a Spin Access card. It functions like a gift card and can be purchased at partner locations.

The Spin pilot program, which will last roughly one year.  The dockless pilot program will allow the city to see where people are and are not using the bikes, and local Spin staff can adapt bike density at those locations.  Notably, the University of Kentucky has agreed to launch the service. Transylvania University and BCTC are also exploring partnerships with Spin. Should the local education institutions and city all elect to use Spin bike sharing, the network effects would increase the value of the service.

Using a Spin bike costs $1 for 30 minutes.  Unlimited use memberships are available for $29 per month or $99 for a year.  Anyone registering with a .edu email address gets a rate at approximately half those amounts.  

Should you choose to participate, please bike safely and considerately. The University of Kentucky offers a thorough and helpful guide to those new to riding a bicycle around town.  I encourage you to review those detailed best practices by clicking here.