FAQ - hirebike Lincoln

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What is hirebike?

hirebike is a 24 hour on-street bike sharing service, providing bicycles for hire for residents, commuters and visitors across Lincoln. By Autumn 2017, there will be up to 125 pedal bikes and 20 electric bikes in the network.

How does it work?

hirebike is very simple. Ideally download the app or sign up on the website as either a casual or annual member. Alternatively you can call us on 01522 370 143. Once you've signed up as a member, you'll receive a membership number and PIN. Simply key in your membership number and PIN at any of the stations and select a bike to rent. You can return the bike to any station, not just the one you rented it from.

Where are the bikes / stations located?

Please see the map page for exact locations and numbers of bikes currently at our docking stations.

What about helmets?

Helmets are not provided with the hirebike as we are unable to guarantee the safety of the helmets provided. We do however encourage cyclists to wear a helmet and have teamed up with five local cycle shops who will offer a minimum 10% discount on helmets to all hirebike members.

Can I use a bike without my membership card or PIN number?

For security reasons you will need to have both your membership number and PIN number. You may change the PIN number to a 4 digit number that is more memorable for you - log into this website using the login page with your username and password and you can change your PIN online.

What if I forget my PIN?

Email us (lincoln@hourbike.com) or call us on 01522 370 143 and we will call you to verify your details and issue you with another card or PIN number.

I've noticed a bike at the station has been damaged.

If you find a bicycle that is damaged please tell us. If you have time it is useful if you can turn the saddle sideways to indicate to other people it is not to be used.

What if there aren't any bikes at the station?

There may be times when all the bikes are being used - or have been parked at other stations. It is normal for bikes from some locations to be used more frequently. Remember that you can check on availability via the online map.

What if there is a technical problem with the station I want to return the bike to?

In this case lock the bike securely nearby using the combination lock, and either email (lincoln@hourbike.com) or call us on 01522 370 143 to end your hire. The bike is your responsibility until you do this.

What if the station where I want to park the bike is already full?

In this case lock the bike securely nearby using the combination lock, and either email us (lincoln@hourbike.com) or call us on 01522 370 143 to end your hire. The bike is your responsibility until you do this. You can find out the code for your bike by logging into this website and clicking on the Rented Bikes button

How long can I take a bike for?

When you rent a bike you must return it on the day of hire. We will contact the renters of any unreturned bikes, and will consider a bike stolen if it is not returned to a station, or we have not been informed of its whereabouts within 48 hours.

Membership Options

In order to release a bike you will need to have funds on your account, and the correct contract type eg pedal or electric bike. You can have both contract types running concurrently but will not be able to release an e-bike, for example, if you only have a pedal bike contract. All access fee and cycle time charges will be debited from the available funds on your account at the relevant rate for the bike you are using.

Rental Costs

Casual memberships require no sign up fee, and prices are £2 an hour for a pedal bike and £3 an hour for an e-bike.

Annual memberships require a sign up fee of £20 for a pedal bike, giving the member the first 30 minutes free, and £40 for an electric bike, with the initial 20 minutes free on each journey. After the free period, hourly charges are £1 for a pedal bike and £2 for an electric bike.

Student memberships are £14 for pedal and £28 for electric. Please check on our student page to see if your college/university qualify.

Minimum credits are needed to sign up as follows: £5 per bike on a pedal annual membership and £10 on an annual electric membership. Casual memberships require £2 for pedal, and £3 foe electric per bike.

Corporate memberships are also available. See the Corporate page for more information.

How to open the combination lock

Line the four numbers up against the small triangle shapes
Push the two big silver shapes TOWARDS the numbers
The lock will pop open

* E-bike Specific Questions *

Where can I pick up an e-bike?

Phase 1 of the introduction of the electric bikes includes the following locations: The Lawn, Burton Waters (Marina Roundabout), St Marks Shopping Centre and Skellingthorpe Community Centre. See our map page for exact locations.

Phase 2 will include Lincoln Rail Station, Lincoln County Hospital, Bishop Grosseteste University and The University of Lincoln (Minerva Building).

Do I need a license for an e-bike?

No. Our e-bikes will only provide power whilst you are pedalling. When you stop, the motor turns off. This ensures the e-bikes are treated by law the same as pedal bikes.

How fast do the e-bikes go?

E-bikes are limited to providing power up to 25kph by law. You can pedal faster than that of course if you wish !

How do I make the e-bike work?

When you have undocked the e-bike, you will need to press the on button on the left handlebar to turn the bike on. You can tell the bike is on at any time as the front lights will be on, and the rear light will be flashing.

How old do I have to be to use an e-bike?

You must be at least 14 years old to legally ride an e-bike in the UK. Also to use the e-bike safely you must be competent to ride, and be able to reach the ground with both feet whilst sitting in the saddle

Could an e-bike run out of power whilst I’m using it?

The e-bikes have a range of approx. 30 miles, which is more than sufficient for local trips around Lincoln. However if the bike has not been docked in an e-dock, its power level may be not be full. The current power level of bikes can be seen from the station console or hirebike App, which we recommend is downloaded from the appropriate Apple or Android store. If an e-bike does run out of power during a rental, it can still be ridden normally.

How do the e-bikes charge?

The e-bike will charge automatically when docked into any of the special e-docks, which are clearly marked. E-bikes that are low on charge will not be available for rent until their charge level has reached a suitable level.

Can you pedal an e-bike as well as use the electric motor?

Yes, of course, and the motor will only provide power while you are pedalling, once you stop, the motor cuts out. It is an ordinary bicycle, although it is of course heavier than an ordinary e-bike.

I am a member of the existing hirebike scheme, but want to use electric bikes too. What do I need to do?

If you are already a pedal bike member, you will need to purchase an additional e-bike subscription, (membership or casual). Simply log in to your pedal account, and purchase an additional ebike subscription. This way, when you enter your membership number and PIN at the console, you will be offered both pedal and ebikes to rent. You will be charged the appropriate amount depending on the bike you choose.

I have a complaint, how do I raise this?

We take complaints very seriously. Please contact our customer service team via: Email: lincoln@hourbike.com or Phone: 01522 370143 and we will investigate and respond as a priority. In the unlikely event we are not able to resolve to your satisfaction please feel free to contact the UK bike share trade body 'CoMoUK' via https://como.org.uk/.

What resources are available to assist with safe riding practices?

A very good question! For lots of useful information and hints and tips on safe cycling please see this page (https://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-you-can-do/cycling/cycling-safety-and-rules/road-safety-cyclists) on the Sustrans website.