Denver B-cycle will add 15 electric bikes to its fleet of 737 starting next Monday as part of a pilot program that will run through October.
Denver Bike Sharing, the nonprofit that operates Denver B-cycle, said Monday they will partner with Toronto-based Drop Mobility on the pilot. Starting Sept. 16, people will be able to access the e-bikes at select B-Cycle stations.
B-cycle's popularity has lagged, according to its annual reports, even before other transportation options like dockless e-scooters and e-bikes hit the scene. Mike Pletsch said he doesn't necessarily see them as competition for the classic bike-share service. He said the Denver at large benefits from all the different services available to riders.
"I think it's more of a complementary thing," Pletsch said Monday. "I think for Denver to be a great city, there is going to have to be (mobility) options."
The city spent $800,000 on the nonprofit's mission this year, with half of that money funding 5,280 free annual passes. The other half went to new docking stations.
The e-bikes in the pilot program must be checked out at Denver B-Cycle stations and tethered back to the stations using their cable locks. The release said staffers will monitor stations to help people who need it.
This article was changed to correct what city tax dollars funded, which did not include operations.
