Electric Bike Share: Revolutionizing Urban Transportation

RVA Bike Share has introduced electric-assist bikes to its fleet. The bikes, which are the same price to rent as the regular bikes, are equipped with a small motor that gives extra power when you turn the pedals. The electric assist makes it easier to reach speeds of 12-15 mph, but doesn't allow you to go much faster than that. The bikes can be rented through machines on site or via the RVA Bike Share app.

RVA Bike Share launched in 2017, with the promise of a second phase that would double the number of stations and bicycles in 2018

In March 2019, RVA Bike Share introduced new electric-assist ("pedelec") bikes to its fleet. These bikes are equipped with a small motor that provides extra power when the rider turns the pedals, making it easier to tackle hills and accelerate to speeds of up to 15 mph. The electric bikes are available at the same price as regular bikes, and can be rented through machines on-site or via the RVA Bike Share app.

As of April 2024, the city of RVA had put out a request for proposals for a Public Bike Share System, which included plans for 25 stations and 300 electric bikes. This suggests that the city intends to expand its bike-sharing offerings and improve accessibility for its residents.

Electric-assist bikes are available at the same price as regular bikes

You can rent the bikes through the machines on site at some of the stations (including Jefferson Avenue) or through the RVA Bike Share app. You can get various levels of passes, from $1.75 for 45 minutes, up to $96 for a year membership.

The RVA Bike Share launched around 18 months before the introduction of the electric-assist bikes, with the promise of a second phase that would double the number of stations and bicycles sometime in 2018. However, a year later, there was still only one station east of 14th Street, none north of Jackson Ward, and none on Southside.

In April 2024, a Reddit user mentioned that the city had put out an RFP for a Public Bike Share System that included 25 stations and 300 electric bikes, indicating that the city intended to expand the number of stations.

The electric-assist bikes have a small motor that gives extra power when you turn the pedals

The RVA Bike Share includes electric-assist bikes, which are regular bicycles with a small motor that gives extra power when you turn the pedals. This makes it easier to cycle up hills, but the electric assist doesn't make the bike go faster than 15 mph. The electric bikes are the same price to rent as the regular bikes, and you can rent them through the machines on site or through the RVA Bike Share app.

The electric-assist bikes are designed to make cycling more accessible, particularly when it comes to tackling hills. The slower you cycle, the more apparent the electric assist becomes. For example, one user reported that cycling up Broad Street hill at just over walking speed was "a piece of cake".

The RVA Bike Share launched around 18 months ago, with the promise of a second phase that would double the number of stations and bicycles. However, as of March 2019, there was still only one station east of 14th Street, none north of Jackson Ward, and none on Southside. It's unclear whether the service has expanded since then, but in April 2024, a Reddit user posted about an RFP for a Public Bike Share System with 25 stations and 300 electric bikes.

The bikes can be rented through the machines on site or through the RVA Bike Share app

RVA Bike Share has introduced electric-assist bikes to its fleet. These bikes are regular bicycles with a small motor that gives extra power when you turn the pedals. The electric bikes are the same price as the regular bikes and can be rented through the machines on site at some stations, including Jefferson Avenue, or through the RVA Bike Share app.

To rent a bike, simply enter the 5-digit code on the bike and confirm your selection. You can choose from various levels of passes, starting from $1.75 for 45 minutes up to $96 for a year membership.

The electric-assist feature makes riding up hills much easier and can help you reach speeds of up to 15 MPH. RVA Bike Share launched about 18 months ago with the promise of expanding the number of stations and bicycles, but as of 2019, there has been limited expansion. However, the city has recently put out a request for proposals for a Public Bike Share System, indicating their intention to expand the number of stations and electric bikes.

The electric-assist bikes are aimed at making the bikes more accessible and hills easier, rather than making for a faster ride

RVA Bike Share launched in 2017, with the promise of a second phase that would double the number of stations and bicycles in 2018. However, as of 2019, there was still only one station east of 14th Street, none north of Jackson Ward, and none on Southside.

In March 2019, new electric-assist bikes started appearing at the share docks. These bikes are the same price to rent as the regular bikes, and are aimed at making the bikes more accessible and hills easier, rather than making for a faster ride. The slower you go, the more apparent the electric assist. The bikes can be rented through the machines on site at some of the stations (including Jefferson Avenue) or through the RVA Bike Share app.

The electric-assist bikes are pretty much regular bicycles, except that there is a small motor that gives extra power every time that you turn the pedals. This makes it easy to reach 12 mph, but it is difficult to go much above 15 mph before you run out of gear on the bike.

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