FAQs

• What is Jackson County BCycle?

  Jackson County BCycle is a bike-sharing program operated by the Jackson County Parks Department. Jackson County BCycle was initially funded by a grant from the Hurst Foundation. It is a zero-hassle, zero-emissions way to get around town or explore the Falling Waters Trail. It’s a bike-sharing program that meets the transportation, health, recreation, and environmental needs of our community. 
  
  There are currently six bikes available checkout at the East end of the Falling Waters Trail on Weatherwax Drive.
  
  

• Where can I find a station?

  See the Station map for station locations. You can also see all bikes/stations and availability on the free BCycle smartphone app for iPhone and Android. 
  
  The address for the trailhead of the Falling Waters Trail is:
  3541 Weatherwax Drive
  Jackson, MI 49203

• What about the actual BCycle?

  Imagine a 3-speed bike that is always ready to ride, where and when you want to ride it. The tires are always inflated and the chain is never rusty. A bike with a basket to carry your knapsack. A bike with front and rear lights and a bell that fits people tall and short. A bike that’s there whenever you need it, and gone when you don’t. That’s a BCycle. And it’s powered by the ultimate alternative fuel: you.

• How much does BCycle cost?

  You have the option to become an annual member, or rent by the hour as a Walk-Up user.
  
  Annual Memberships: Annual Memberships are $50. Memberships are good for 365 days from your first checkout, and the fee includes the first three hours of each ride. After three hours, usage fees of $2/hour apply.
  
  Hourly Rentals - Walk-Up User: If you don't have a membership, the fee is $6 for the first three hours. After three hours of use, usage fees of $2/hour apply.
  
  

• How do I check out a bike without a membership?

  Screen-by-screen help for how to rent a bike by the hour (day pass)

  • Touch screen to begin
  • “Welcome to Jackson County BCycle” press start
  • “What would you like to do?” press “Check out Bike”
  • “Would you like to rent a bike by the hour?” press “Yes”
  • “Read and Accept User Agreement” press “Accept”
  • “Do you have a promo code?” Press “no”
  • Enter your zip code
  • Enter your phone number
  • Choose the dock number for any available bike

• Can I become an BCycle member if I don’t have a credit card?

  Jackson County BCycle requires that all accounts be associated with a credit card.

• What is a membership card and how does it work?

  A membership card is a plastic card distributed to BCycle annual members. The cards contain an RFID chip uniquely associated with each member’s account. When the membership card is presented at a BCycle dock, the Jackson County BCycle system is queried to confirm that the member is in good standing and to associate the member with the bicycle they are checking out. 

  When a bicycle is returned, the system updates the member’s account.

  Membership cards also contain a magnetic strip so the cards can be read by the credit card reader found on the kiosk, thereby allowing the card holder to obtain time credits when a station is full.

• How do I get a membership card?

  Membership cards are issued to all annual members. Membership cards are generally sent in the mail within a week or two following online registration.

• How do I use my B Fob?

  If you have a Fob:

  1. Choose one of the locked bikes.
  2. Press the silver button on the bike’s dock.
  3. Touch your B Card to the square behind the silver button.
  4. Remove the bike once the locks open (dock will start beeping after the bike is unlocked).

  If you forget your Fob:

  1. Press the kiosk button.
  2. Follow the prompts on the touchscreen. Validate your membership using your mobile phone number or the credit card associated with your account.
  3. If you validate via mobile phone, the system will text a code to your mobile phone to verify your membership – enter this code as prompted.
  4. Once membership is validated, enter the dock number of the bike you wish to check out.
  5. The kiosk will unlock the bike from the dock you chose. The dock holding the bike will beep until the bike is removed.

  

• How does BCycle determine the starting and ending date for annual membership periods?

  Membership periods begin the first time a bike is checked out following initial registration. Annual memberships end 8,760 hours later (365 days times 24 hours).

• What should I do if I’ve lost my membership card?

  Go online to your personal BCycle web page and suspend your card, or call customer service immediately so that we can suspend the card and prevent anyone else from using your card to gain access to a bicycle for which you are financially responsible.

  A replacement card will be provided for $5.

  While waiting for your replacement B-card to arrive, you can check out bikes by using the kiosk at each station. You must present the credit card associated with your membership account.

• What if I want to cancel my membership?

  Membership fees are non-refundable, but if you wish to suspend your account to prevent any new usage fees, call customer service or manage your account on your personal BCycle web page.

• How can my membership card get denied?

  Upon presenting your membership card at a station kiosk or dock for authentication, the system checks whether your account is in good standing. If there is a problem, your card will be denied. Please call Customer Service to determine the cause of the problem.

• How do I receive or stop text notifications?

  When registering, members can choose whether they want to receive text notifications. Members can change that preference anytime thereafter by logging into their personal BCycle web page and managing their account settings.

• How do I change or update my credit card information?

  Members can change their credit card information by logging into their personal BCycle web page and managing their account settings.

• What should I do if a bike gets damaged while I have it checked out?

  Return a damaged bike to a station, if possible, or if that is not possible, securely lock it and contact Customer Service. Do not ride a bike with damage that affects its safety features.

  Members are financially liable for damages to bikes under their care. Refer to Terms and Conditions for your system.

• What if I lose the key?

  The cost of replacing a lost key is $10. Please contact Customer Service right away.

• What if the bike is stolen? Will I be financially responsible for the loss of the bike?

  Contact Customer Service. Under the Terms and Conditions agreed to upon registering for membership, members may be liable up to a specified limit if a bicycle is stolen or lost while under their care. Refer to the Terms and Conditions.

• Can I buy more than one membership with my credit card?

  When signing up online, more than one membership can be associated with a credit card. When buying a one-day membership at a kiosk, a maximum of four (4) memberships can be associated with a credit card, but the same card must be presented each time a bike is checked out during the membership period

• I’ve noticed B Cycles have cable locks in the baskets. How do they work?