DENVER - Denver's B-Cycle bike sharing program, the home of the red bikes, is red-hot since its launch six weeks ago.
Denver Bike Sharing, which administers the B-Cycle system, said they now have 8,000 registered users, including 800 annual members.
"We expected a great launch, but we had no idea we'd get this kind of response," Denver Bike Sharing spokesman Brent Tongco said. "You can use a car to get from point A to point B, but bikes are more fun."
One location on Market Street reported 1,200 bikes checked out on Saturday and Sunday.
The biggest challenge he said is explaining the program price structure to confused riders.
Membership in B-Cycle costs $5 for a day and $65 for the year. After that, rides under 30 minutes are free while longer rides cost more.
At the REI store on Sunday afternoon, the bikes were flying off the rack.
"It's great, you can go anywhere you want," one rider said. "It's a great way to come downtown and not worry about parking."
The main complaint Tongco encounters is that there aren't enough stations.
Right now there are 42, mostly Downtown, in Cherry Creek and near DU.
But, Tongco says they are exploring opening more stations in the near future.
Denver Bike Sharing, which administers the B-Cycle system, said they now have 8,000 registered users, including 800 annual members.
"We expected a great launch, but we had no idea we'd get this kind of response," Denver Bike Sharing spokesman Brent Tongco said. "You can use a car to get from point A to point B, but bikes are more fun."
One location on Market Street reported 1,200 bikes checked out on Saturday and Sunday.
The biggest challenge he said is explaining the program price structure to confused riders.
Membership in B-Cycle costs $5 for a day and $65 for the year. After that, rides under 30 minutes are free while longer rides cost more.
At the REI store on Sunday afternoon, the bikes were flying off the rack.
"It's great, you can go anywhere you want," one rider said. "It's a great way to come downtown and not worry about parking."
The main complaint Tongco encounters is that there aren't enough stations.
Right now there are 42, mostly Downtown, in Cherry Creek and near DU.
But, Tongco says they are exploring opening more stations in the near future.
