Frequently Asked Questions
Q). What is Bikestation?
Bikestation / Mobis Transportation Alternatives, Inc. is a Certified B corporation that seeks to improve the quality of life in urban communities through the development and operation of bike-transit centers. For more about our mission, values, and history, see About Us.
Bikestation envisions communities where bicycling is an integral part of the transportation mix; resulting in cleaner air, safer streets, and healthier living.
Download a Bikestation Brochure here.
Q). How do I use a Bikestation facility?
Our primary purpose is to provide secure, indoor bike parking, which a bicyclist can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members can access all Bikestations in the network using a programmed digital key fob, as well as discounts on bike repairs, retail, and rentals (depending on location). Each Bikestation is unique, but some of the additional services and amenities you may find are:
- Bicycle Repairs
- Retail Accessories
- Bicycle Rentals or Loaners
- LEV Sharing/Electric vehicle charging station
- Personal Lockers
- Restrooms, Changing Rooms, and/or Showers
- Transit and Bicycling Information and/or ticket sales
- Bicycle Tours
- Café or Snacks
- Community Meeting Space
- Free Air and Self-Repair Stand
- Water fountain
Download Bikestation Rules & Regulations.
Q). How do I access a Bikestation facility?
A digitally programmed key fob is assigned to each member and is required to access all Bikestation facilities and services. Every time you use Bikestation to park a bike, you need to swipe your key fob in front of the reader at the front door to scan your membership information. The red light on the reader will change to green and the reader will beep, indicating that you are an active member and the magnetic door will release.
Even if you are right behind another member and the door is open, you must swipe your key fob. "Tailgating" is when another person walks into the Bikestation directly behind you without swiping their tag. This is not allowed; he or she may not be a member, and it could be someone who wants to steal bikes. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW TAILGATING.
Q). Is Bikestation secure?
All Bikestation facilities are equipped with electronic access for members only. As an additional security measure, Bikestation provide 24/7 video surveillance and usage tracking as well as liability insurance. However, Bikestation is a shared-use facility, so use your own lock to secure your bike to the bike rack, and secure your personal belongings in a locker if possible.
Q). What if I lose my access key fob?
If you lose your key fob, please notify us IMMEDIATELY at billing@bikestation.com. It is imperative that we deactivate it so that no one else can access the facility with your account. You are responsible for your key fob; there is a $15 replacement fee for lost or stolen key fobs.
Q). Can I lend my access key fob to a friend?
No. Only the registered member is allowed to use the key fob to gain access to the facility. Under no circumstances is anyone else permitted to use your key fob. Violation of this policy may result in suspension of membership.
Q). Do I get a reserved parking space?
All parking spaces are first come first serve. Any personal property such as locks must be removed from individual racks with the bike.
Q). Can I leave my bike overnight?
Bikes may be left for a maximum of one week (7 consecutive days or less). Bikes left longer than one week will be considered abandoned and are subject to removal.
Q). Why would I pick the Daily Plan over the Annual or Monthly Plan?
The Daily Service Plan is used for infrequent short term parking. If you expect to use our facility regularly, the Monthly or Annual Service Plan might be better for you.
Q). How can I find out how many Daily uses I have left?
Members can log in and check their usage history online anytime at www.bikestation.com. Access key fobs will stop working when all uses are gone.
Q). How can I add to my Daily service plan? Do my uses expire?
You can purchase additional Daily uses online, sold in packs of 10. Daily uses do expire when the Annual Administration Fee expires. You must use all purchased Daily uses within the year of membership.
Q). My access key fob isn't working. Help!
Access key fobs will stop working when all daily uses are gone, or when your Annual or Monthly Plan expires. Simply log in to the Members section of our website to renew or upgrade your service plan. Your key fob will be re-activated as soon as your payment is received and your order is processed. If you have any problems renewing or upgrading your service plan, please contact us.
Q). What if I have a mechanical problem with my bike?
Some Bikestation facilities have a shop stand with basic tools, a bicycle pump and/or a vending machine onsite with spare tubes, patch kits, etc for do-it-yourself repair. Staffed facilities (such as Bikestation Long Beach and Bikestation Washington DC) may offer repair and maintenance services for a additional fee during normal hours of operation.
Q). I own several bikes; can I park more than one with my membership registration?
You can park all of the bikes you own, but only one at a time. Bikestation members should register any bike that will be parked at Bikestation. They will be given a Bikestation identification sticker for each bike registered. The registration sticker(s) must be attached to the bike(s) that are registered under your service plan. All bikes parked at Bikestation MUST display a registration sticker or they may be subject to removal. If you did not receive a registration sticker for each bike with your membership package, please contact us and we'll send registration sticker(s) to you right away.
Q). Is there some kind of a contract I need to sign?
Yes. You must read and accept our Terms of Use before using Bikestation.
Q). What types of payment do you accept?
Currently, we accept credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover), check or money order. We do not accept payment via cash, purchase order, or PayPal.
Q). What is your Privacy Policy?
Here is our Privacy Policy.
Q). Why bicycling and bike-transit centers?
Bicycling is the most efficient form of transportation ever created. It is good for our health, good for our environment, and good for our budget. It is also fun, and helps create more vibrant and safe communities.
A bike-transit center makes sense anywhere you want to enable people to bicycle and securely park their bikes or have access to any of the many services a bike-transit center can offer. This could be a downtown area for access to businesses and employment, recreation or nightlife. It could be a college campus. It could be a condominium, mixed-use project, office building, or other development.
Also, connecting bicycles and bicyclists with transit is a natural marriage. Transit can carry many people over greater distances. To make transit as efficient as possible, each transit station needs to be able to draw and carry as many passengers as feasible. Typically, people will only walk up to ½ mile to get to a transit station. By bringing bicycles into the mix, we can increase the area that a single transit station can draw from to an average of 2-3 miles.
Q). How do I get a Bikestation in my neighborhood, city, or transit destination?
Two key ingredients are funding and support. Funding falls into two broad categories: capital and operating. Capital funding restricts the use of the money to physical building and equipment. Operating funding allows for payment of staff, marketing, utilities, and other overhead expenses. There are various local, state, and federal funding sources that can be used for bicycle facilities, including bike-transit centers.
Support can come from many sources. Your most important ally is a strong local government staff person. Bikestation puts together partnerships based upon the needs and resources of the local area. In the past, we’ve partnered with:
* Municipalities
* Transit Agencies
* Private Developers
* Air Quality Management Districts
* Parks and Recreation Departments
* State DOT’s
* Other private organizations, including local bike shops and nonprofits
Bikestation’s role in partnerships varies, but we typically either perform consulting, operate the facility, or partner with a local operator and provide our membership and access control system for 24/7 parking, as well as expertise from our 15-year history, access to affordable liability insurance, banking and merchant systems, and marketing and other collateral materials.
Q). What are Bikestation's Funding Guidelines?
As mentioned above, funding comes in two forms: capital and operating. Part of operating support can be in-kind support from partners, for example agency staff time devoted to the facility. Generally, attaining the capital funding necessary to build the facility is much easier than figuring out a sustainable operating funding scenario. Bikestation has helped many agencies answer these questions.
Q). What are Bikestation's General Guidelines?
There are very few general guidelines for building a bike-transit center. This is still a relatively new concept in the U.S., and as such, is continuing to be innovated every day. However, some additional things to consider when in the early stages of conceptualizing and planning are:
* Site location and analysis
* Resource and needs assessment
* Facility size/footprint/optimal layout
* Services (see examples above)
* Access to transit and other key destinations
* Demand
* Land ownership
* Zoning
* Access
* Employment
* Connectivity
* Proximity
* Visibility
* Architectural design
* Security objectives
* Signage and wayfinding
We hope this information helps you along the path to developing your bike-transit center. If you have additional questions, please contact Bikestation at 562-733-0106. We are glad to offer limited advice on a case-by-case basis. If you have in-depth needs, Bikestation can also assist through our consulting services. We have developed and written many methodologies for determining demand, as well as Needs Assessments, Implementation and Operating Plans. We are pleased to offer you assistance with concept development, Request for Proposal (RFP) and funding/partnership development.
Q). Is Bikestation a trademarked name?
Yes: Bikestation, bikestation, Bikestation Coalition, or any iteration thereof (such as bike station or the bicycle station) and Bikestation's logos are registered trademarks of Bikeable Communities and may not be used without their express permission, or that of their agent, Mobis Transportation Alternatives, Inc, dba Bikestation. We treat all unauthorized uses of the Bikestation trademark as a serious breach of our rights, and reserve all rights with respect to defense of our trademark.
