Get Rolling with Bay Wheels

Bay Wheels has two kinds of bikes: traditional (sometimes called "acoustic" bikes by enthusiasts) and pedal-assist electric.

Traditional bikes rely on the old-fashioned pedal power of riders to get around. They’re great for short trips and flat routes, or for people looking for a cross-city workout.

Pedal-assist electric bikes, on the other hand, offer a boost to riders. The e-bikes are great for hills, longer trips and riders who don’t have as much “oomph” to offer on their own.

Traditional bikes are picked up and returned to “docks” within the service areas. You can find e-bikes in those docks, too, but e-bikes are also allowed to be parked at public bike racks within the service areas. Check out the service area map, which shows real-time information on dock and freestanding bike locations.

If you have a Clipper® card that is linked to a credit or debit card, you can use your Clipper card to unlock the bike by tapping the card reader on the bicycle or the dock. Or you can download the Bay Wheels or Lyft app and pay with your phone by scanning the QR code that is on the bicycle you want to rent. Get more details.

Prices vary based on the amount of time you use the bike and on your membership status. A monthly or annual membership gets you unlimited rides on traditional bikes. The “Bike Share for All” program offers membership discounts for people with lower incomes. Or you can pay for a single ride on acoustic or electric bikes.

Over the years, MTC has been helping Bay Area cities improve the bike lane network and riding infrastructure. There are nearly 2,000 bike-lane miles to explore within the Bay Wheels network.

Don't forget that you can take a Bay Wheels bike on the SF Bay Trail – just be sure to return the bike at an in-network location!