Bismarck Parks and Recreation Expands BCycle Program with E-Bikes

Bismarck Parks and Recreation is thrilled to announce the launch of its BCycle program for the third season, now featuring pedal-assisted e-bikes. Thanks to a generous $10,000 grant from the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation, the Park District has been able to add 10 e-bikes to its existing fleet of 45 classic pedal bikes. This expansion aims to increase accessibility to the program for individuals who may have difficulty using traditional pedal bikes.

The e-bikes utilize power assist technology, requiring riders to pedal in order to activate a battery and electric motor. This innovative approach not only assists riders but also encourages more people to explore and enjoy the park system. The addition of e-bikes has generated significant interest from the community, with many residents expressing their curiosity about the BCycle program and its electric bike offerings.

As the BCycle program continues to grow in popularity, the Park District plans to further expand the arsenal of e-bikes. This is necessary as the company manufacturing the classic pedal bikes is discontinuing that particular model. In the future, e-bikes will gradually replace the classic bikes.

Renting a BCycle e-bike is simple and affordable. The cost is $10, with an additional charge of 4 cents per minute, payable through the BCycle app. Rates for the classic pedal bikes remain at $5, with an additional charge of 2 cents per minute. Four kiosks are available for users to rent either type of bike: Sertoma Park, Pioneer Park, Peace Park, and the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.

The BisParks BCycle bike share program, which originated from Great Rides, a defunct Fargo bike program, has been successful since its launch in fall 2022. Funded through user fees, sponsorships, and park district funds, the program has seen over 1,200 rides in its first full season in Bismarck in 2023.

For more information on the BCycle program and how to participate, please visit their website at https://www.bisparks.org/bcycle/.

Bismarck Parks and Recreation’s BCycle program is experiencing growth and expansion with the introduction of pedal-assisted e-bikes in its third season. Thanks to a generous grant from the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation, the Park District has been able to add 10 e-bikes to its existing fleet of 45 classic pedal bikes. This expansion aims to make the program more accessible for individuals who may have difficulty using traditional pedal bikes.

The e-bikes in the BCycle program feature power assist technology, where riders need to pedal to activate the battery and electric motor. This innovation not only assists riders but also encourages more people to explore and enjoy the park system. The introduction of e-bikes has generated significant interest from the community, with residents expressing curiosity about the BCycle program and its electric bike offerings.

As the popularity of the BCycle program continues to grow, the Park District plans to further expand its e-bike fleet. This is necessary due to the discontinuation of the classic pedal bike model by the manufacturer. Over time, the classic bikes will be gradually replaced by e-bikes.

Renting a BCycle e-bike is straightforward and affordable, with a cost of $10 and an additional charge of 4 cents per minute. The payment process can be done through the BCycle app. The rates for classic pedal bikes remain at $5 with an additional charge of 2 cents per minute. There are currently four kiosks available for users to rent either type of bike: Sertoma Park, Pioneer Park, Peace Park, and the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.

The BisParks BCycle bike share program, which originated from the defunct Fargo bike program called Great Rides, has been successful since its launch in fall 2022. The program is funded through user fees, sponsorships, and park district funds. In its first full season in Bismarck in 2023, the program has already seen over 1,200 rides.

To learn more about the BCycle program and how to participate, visit the Bismarck Parks and Recreation website at https://www.bisparks.org/bcycle/.