As much as I love the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, I was always a little bit iffy about the Pacers Bike Share. Started in 2014 and managed by the team behind the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Pacers Bike Share started with 25 stations and 250 bikes along the trail.
Today, there are 51 stations. The Pacers Bikeshare has had 19 million minutes ridden and 2 million pounds of carbon offset.
You can download the Bcycle app and ride anywhere in the city. They're ideal for Indy's trail system. I would note that you have to return the bikes to one o the 51 stations. Bikes are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Marion County residents are eligible for an annual pass known as IndyRides Free. This allows for free 30-minute trips with a classic bike or e-bike.
Classic bikes are $2 to check out and $.20 a minute. E-bikes are $5 to check out and $.25 a minute. There's a traditional annual pass ($150) that offers unlimited 60-minute trips with no check-out fee - it includes classic and e-bikes.
What really finally sold me on the Pacers Bike Share program is that they added adaptive bikes. In 2019, a grant from the CIBA Foundation allowed the addition of adaptive bikes designed for folks like me - those who either aren't comfy with two-wheeled bikes or who have mobility challenges. They offer four different types of bikes (including recumbent bikes). First-time users are advised to stop in and get appropriately fitted to a bike.
Cost of adaptive bikes is $10 an hour plus tax. This includes the bike fitting, a helmet, and a lock!
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Pricing
Adaptive Bike Reservations:
$10/hour (Bike fitting, helmet, and lock included!)
They have an Everybody Rides program, as well, offering the option at reduced rates. It is important to note that adaptive bikes are more limited in availability (not 24/7) - M-F, 9a-5p and additional hours on weekends (the website is a tad confusing about weekend hours).
I love this effort to include those with various challenges and I've tried them for myself and it's just an awesome option.
Pacers Bikeshare really is a gem of a program and I definitely recommend checking it out. It's practically impossible to go downtown without seeing the Pacers-themed bikes and now that adaptive bikes are an option even more people can get active and involved. read more