Stationless bike share dos & don'ts

A variety of new private systems are coming to Seattle, and we’re here to make sure they work for you!

Amid plenty of interest from a variety of private, “stationless” bike share vendors, the city of Seattle recently released a set of Bike Share Permit Requirements. With these policies established, we anticipate a number of operators will quickly move to drop hundreds — maybe even thousands — of bicycles on city streets. The first will reportedly hit the ground Friday, July 7.

Private bike share systems have enormous potential to increase access to bicycles and fill gaps in our transportation network. At Cascade we’re excited to see these services roll out, and most importantly, we want to ensure bike share is working for people like you.

That’s why we have created this short form to collect your feedback. Please fill it out, and keep us posted on your experiences.

In the meantime, check out our list of “Do’s and Don’ts” of using stationless bike share:

DO: Do try out bikes from various operators. Not all bikes are created equal — which are most comfortable? Best equipped to handle Seattle’s hills?

DON’T: Don’t forget to charge your smartphone. So far as we know, all of these vendors require some type of smartphone app to use their services, so you’ll be out of luck if your battery dies on you.

DO: Do use existing bike lanes and paths; and help advocate for more connections by signing on to the Basic Bike Network campaign.

DON’T: Don’t park a bike in the middle of the sidewalk. One of the elements we like about these systems is the freedom to ride anywhere and park without having to locate a docking station. The inherent risk of this freedom is clogging sidewalks and causing disruptions for people walking or people using a wheelchair.

DO: Let the operators know directly if there is a problem. Like Car2Go or other car share programs, it is the private operator that is responsible for maintenance and operations, not the city of Seattle.

DON’T: Don’t forget to Ride SMART. Review bicycling basics, especially if you haven’t ridden in awhile! Get with a buddy who has experience riding in the city, or sign up for one of our Urban Cycling Techniques classes.

DO: Do bring your own helmet. It’s the law to wear one in King County. It may be a little awkward at first to have your helmet in tow, but you won’t be alone!

DON’T: Don’t forget to let us at Cascade know how your experience using these systems goes! We are excited to advocate and ensure the new bike share systems work for you!