A pedal assist electric bike features a motor that provides assistance as you pedal. Electric bikes allow riders to travel further and faster with less physical effort!

There is not a premium price for the e-bike; regular bike share pricing will apply including any usage fees incurred if you do not DOCK THE BIKE in the appropriate time limit of 60 minutes for most memberships and 30 minutes for the One Trip option.

The e-bikes can be ridden on any road and bike lane BUT are NOT ALLOWED ON TRAILS including Riverwalk, Mission Reach and Museum Reach.

You can locate stations that have e-bikes by checking the station map on the Swell Cycle website or in the BCycle App. The stations that have e-bikes will have a white “lightning bolt” on that station icon. You can check out the e-bike like any other Swell Cycle bike by using the kiosk or the mobile app.

The e-bike has a larger basket with the words and icons for "Electric" on the panels as well as an external battery on the rear wheel on the left side.

You ride an e-bike just like the regular bike share bicycle. Our e-bikes do not have a throttle. You must always pedal; you will experience enhanced pedal power while the e-bike feature is engaged.

There is not an auxiliary cable lock for the e-bike – the e-bike MUST BE DOCKED in a station while not riding.

The e-bike provides pedal assistance up to speeds of 15mph but this assistance is only provided when you pedal.

The pedal assist is set to one level called TURBO which allows for assistance up to 15mph. There is no throttle. The e-bike will still operate if the assist is turned off. The motor does not add any noticeable drag when turned off.

There is a small screen with a top button on the left handlebar. If the screen is “on” the assist is active otherwise, hit the button to engage.

The battery life of an electric bike depends on many factors including terrain, riding style, temperature, the weight of the rider, and any cargo being transported. On average, a full charge allows SWell Cycle e-bikes to travel about 30 miles before they need to be recharged. The e-bike shows the total battery life remaining on the display. Be sure to check the battery life before checking out a Swell Cycle e-bike. A bike that shows two or more bars of battery on the display is good to ride. If the bike runs out of battery, you can either finish your ride or dock the bike at the closest station and undock another bike.

The e-bike will still operate if the battery is low or empty, you will just not have the advantage of the added pedal assist. The lights on the bike will still function and you will still be able to shift gears, dock, undock, brake, and pedal like normal. The motor does not add any noticeable drag when turned off.

Yes!  It is available for free for Apple and Android.  SWell Cycle is a Bcycle city.  Just type "Bcycle" and choose the one with the blue and grey "B" icon. The app allows you to buy memberships, release bikes, get directions, get info on stations like bikes and docks available and you can track your trips. 

Yes!  Once you have downloaded the app.  Touch the "Join Now" icon and follow the prompts.  Once purchased, you will also be able to release the bikes through the app as well.

Make sure you have the latest update to our app.  That sometimes causes problems when using the app if it is an older version.  If nothing seems to help, use the kiosk.  Choose "I have a pass" then use your credit card or phone number on file to release a bike.  Follow the prompts - it's easy peasy.  

YES!  You can buy more than one membership through the app.  You just have to log out each time you buy a new one.  Each membership has to have it's own unique user name and password.  You can put up to 4 passes on one credit card.  

Please note that only the CLASSIC grey and white SWell Cycles are equipped with a lock. The WHITE SWell Cycle E-BIKES DO NOT have an extra cable lock.

1. Stretch out the coiled lock and wrap the cable around a stationary object such as a pole or bike rack.
2. Look underneath the right side (on smaller basket bikes is located on the left side) of the basket and locate the hole on the lock cylinder.
3. Insert the end of the lock cable into the hole and remove the key from the end of the lock cylinder.

NOTE: Some jiggling will most likely be required. Try to jiggle the end that is inserted into the hole while jiggling the key. Eventually, the key will come out, showing that the bike lock is secured.

4. Now that the bike is locked, DO NOT LOSE THE KEY! There is a $10 charge for lost keys. When you are ready to free the bike again, insert and turn the key in the end of the cylinder.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_--3JUf9ZM&feature=youtu.be

Sometimes the brackets that hold the bikes in the docks can get bent or that particular dock that the bike is in is having technical problems.  Just leave the bike there until the beeping and green flashing lights stop.  It will re-dock the bike back into the station.  Then you can use your app or go to the kiosk to choose another bike.  When going to the kiosk, choose "I have a pass" - insert your credit card (you will not be charged again, it will just recognize you as an active member) or you phone number you put on file, follow the prompts and simply pick another bike.  To alert our operations staff - you can turn the seat backwards.  This alerts them as they are driving by that that bike/dock is having issues. 

Please return a bike with a flat tire or any other mechanical issue to the nearest SWell Cycle station. Contact Customer Service (210) 281-0101 during business hours to alert them to the maintenance issue so we can lock down the bike for repair. You can turn the seat around on the bike so other users know it has a problem. Grab another bike and be on your way.

If there has been an injury, please dial 911 first. If appropriate, contact the police, as well. As in any accident, exchange information with any other affected party and collect contact information from witnesses. Contact Customer Service at (210) 281-0101 at the earliest appropriate time.

Contact Customer Service immediately at (210) 281-0101. You will also need to call San Antonio Police Department to report a stolen bike at (210) 207-SAPD (7273).  You are financially responsible for any and all bikes checked out of a station on your card. If the bike you checked out is not recovered, you will be responsible for the replacement cost, $1200 plus sales tax.  Pro-tip: Opt into text messages and you will receive a text message every time your Swell Cycle is properly docked!

When returning your Swell Cycle make sure you push the bike all the way into an open dock. You should hear 3 beeps and see the green light flash to confirm your return. If this does not happen, try pushing the bike in a little more. If that doesn't trigger the beeps and lights call our customer service number and let them know.

Pro tip: Opt into text messages and you'll receive a text every time your bcycle is properly docked!

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lUuWzqofRY&feature=youtu.be

SWell Cycle is a bike sharing service for San Antonio, Texas powered by Bcycle equipment. With a network of on-demand bicycle stations throughout downtown, Museum Reach and Mission Reach, we provide San Antonionians and visitors alike an easy, fast way to navigate the city. Open hours are 6am-11pm daily.

You can pick up a bike at any SWell Cycle B-station and return it to that same station or any other B-station when you are done. Using their B-cards, annual SWell Cycle members can unlock a bike in seconds. All member levels can also use the app to release bikes on demand. Returning a bike is even easier. Just roll it into a dock, watch for the blinking green light to confirm the bike has been correctly secured and walk away. 

You can purchase a 24-hour access at any time at any of our B-station kiosks or on our app with a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.) When the kiosk screen asks you if you wish to purchase a day pass, select "Yes". You will be asked to sign our user agreement and enter any promo code you might have. After prompted to swipe your card, you may choose any available bike. Your 24-hour access will start with this checkout, and you will use this same card any other time you wish to checkout a bike during that period. Our annual memberships and monthly memberships must be purchased online or through the app.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNjy_-5AQbE&feature=youtu.be

If you purchased a 24-Hour or One Trip membership, then the period begins upon check out of a bike. If you purchased a Monthly or Annual membership, then the period begins upon purchase.

SWell Cycle is a bike share system created for short distance trips with the bikes returning within a 60-minute window on each trip, or a 30-minute window for One Trip users. 24-Hour, Monthly, and Annual member checkouts lasting longer than 60 minutes will be charged an additional $2.17 usage fee which will repeat every 30 minutes until the bike is returned with fees capping at $37.89 per day. One Trip user checkouts lasting longer than 30 minutes will be charged an additional $3.25 usage fee which will repeat every 30 minutes until the bike is returned with fees capping at $37.89 per day. Excluding One Trip users, memberships provide an unlimited number of checkouts during the membership period, but every trip is subject to usage fees if it lasts longer than 60 minutes. All fees include taxes.

You must be 18 years of age of older to ride SWell Cycle.

Yes, you can have multiple memberships of the same or different types on a card, however, you may only have up to 4 active kiosk 24-hour memberships at one time.

Bike share is designed for short trips and letting other members and pass holders use the bikes when you do not need one. By checking the bike back in when you are not riding it, you avoid usage fees, don’t have to worry about locking the bike, and allow others to use the bike. If you want a bike all day or multiple days, we recommend contacting one of our local bike rental companies, like Bike World.

Our annual membership is $100. Our monthly membership is $19.49. Our 24-hour access is $12.99. One Trip is $3.25. All fees include taxes 

Annual, monthly and 24-hour access gives you unlimited checkouts up to 60 minutes (1 hour) at no additional charge during your access period. Any trips lasting longer than 60 minutes are subject to $2.17 usage fees per additional 30 minutes until the bike is docked.

One Trip users are limited to 1 trip up to 30 minutes. Any trips lasting longer than 30 minutes will be subject to a $3.25 usage fee for each additional 30 minutes until the bike is docked.

Maximum usage fee is $37.89 per 24 hours. To avoid usage fees, check (dock) your bike back in any station. Sign up as an annual member.

Our system recognizes the credit/debit card you used to originally purchase your access or membership to the system. Any time you wish to check out another bike during your access period, you simply swipe the same credit/ debit card (except for annual and monthly members who may also use their member card directly at the dock of any available bike.) When the kiosks screen asks you if you wish to purchase a Day Pass, select "I have a pass" and swipe your card when prompted to select your bike. Your card will not be charged again. This simply allows us to recognize your membership without having to issue paper receipts or require you to remember a code.

All membership fees and usage fee sales are final. If you wish to cancel your membership, please feel free to contact Customer Service to notify them. However, there is no refund under the terms of purchase. Membership cancellation or any questions regarding billing fees should be referred to our Customer Service Department.

Otherwise, known as your "B-card"! Members will received their B-card within approximately one week of enrolling. You may access the system immediately upon enrolling at any level by swiping the credit/debit card attached to your account at any station kiosk.  When asked if you want to purchase a Day Pass, select "I have a pass" and then swipe your card to access a bike. Or you can log into your account on the BCycle App and check out a bike using your smart phone. This will work any time you do not have your B-card with you.

If a station is full when you arrive, go to the kiosk and select the "Station Full" button after the Welcome screen for a list of nearby stations and to add a free extra 15 minutes to your trip.  Use the app to locate the nearest station and directions on how to get there. 

Check our location map for our current B-stations. We currently have 58 stations and 500 bikes to choose from. There's a printed system map at each station and you can download the Bcycle app for iPhone or for Android to see the map of stations on the go and check bike and dock availability.

SWell Cycle operates from 6am-11pm, 7 days/week.

Check our location map for our current stations. We currently have 65+ stations and 575+ bikes to choose from. There's a printed system map at each station and you can download the Bcycle app for iPhone or for Android to see the map of stations on the go and check bike and dock availability.  SWell Cycle is a BCycle powered city. 

Our card readers like to be swiped swiftly with the magnetic strip on top.  If the card does not read, flip your card and try the other side - our card readers are two sided.  Sometimes the bottom of our card readers get vandalized and are broken off.  In this case, make sure the card is in straight and level and swipe again.  Sometime placing your finger along the bottom of the slot helps the card go in level.  If that doesn't work, you can always buy a membership through the app and release the bikes that way.  

YES!  Your key fob and it's function is still the same!  

YES!  We are still a Bcycle city and annual members still get the benefits of the Bcycle B-connect program.

We are so excited to have acquired a new title sponsor - Southwest General Hospital, a Steward Family Hospital.  This new sponsorship came with a name change to reflect the sponsor.  We are still operated by the same non-profit, San Antonio Bike Share.  So new name, same great service, people and destinations. 

NO!  The bike share system works just the same as it did before the name change.  We just had a little makeover to our look!

YES!  We are still a Bcycle City.  Visit our "About Us" page for more information.