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Should You Charge Residents for the Bike Share?

If you're looking to bring bike share to your property, you're in good company. Bike Share is a fun and highly visible amenity that helps attract tenants and support rate premiums. In fact, a recent survey of industry analysts cited that wellness, outdoor activity, and sustainability amenities are currently some of the top differentiators for properties. In addition, Multi-Housing News reported that properties get a 30–40% higher ROI on community-wide amenities (such as bike share) vs. unit-specific upgrades. Plus, On Bike Share is a one-time purchase, so it is an easy investment to recoup and provides lasting value to your property. So the question is: do you charge residents to use the bikes? It's your choice. Here are your options: Option 1: Our App allows you to charge membership fees (monthly or annual), or per-use fees each time they use the bike. Option 2: You can charge a property amenity fee to all residents for all amenities, done at lease-up or at renewals. Option 3: You can make it a free amenity -- just like fitness rooms, pools and other amenities at your property. Want to compare these options to see what's right for you? Download our Bike Share ROI Comparison Table, or see below.
Bike Share ROI for Properties

Bike Share ROI Comparison Table

Free Amenity Bikes are free to use. Bike checkouts done using App so rides are tracked and residents are accountable.
Property Amenity Fee Covers all property amenities. Charged at lease-up or at renewal. Bike checkouts done using App so rides are tracked and residents are accountable.
Charge Bike Rental Fees Using App, residents pay for a monthly/annual membership, or a per use fee to use bikes. All rides are tracked and residents are accountable.
  • The primary argument for this approach is that if you don't charge for other amenities at your property like fitness rooms, pools or dog parks, why would single out bikes to charge fees?
The primary argument for this approach is that once you get to a tipping point of amenities, there is something or value to everyone. So charging a property-wide amenity fee is equal for all and doesn't single out one amenity or group of residents.
The primary argument for this approach is that you have to pay for bike rentals wherever you go, so this gives residents a way to rent a bike without having to drive anywhere. It also generates revenue for the property.
  • Advantages
  • Residents see this as a benefit to the property
  • Encourages use of bikes
  • Free access makes residents more forgiving of system downtime or if limited bike availability
  • Free access is consistent with other property amenities (i.e. if you don’t charge to use the fitness room or pool, why would you charge for bikes)
  • Less likely to face resident resentment or pushback
  • Less likely to see vandalism or abuse
  • Advantages
  • All residents pay the same one-time or annual fee for all amenities, regardless of which amenities they use
  • Can charge a higher amenity fee if it covers all amenities compared to what you can charge for just one amenity
  • Encourages use of bikes since they paid for it thru amenity fee
  • Less likely to build resentment or pushback to any one amenity
  • Less likely to see vandalism or abuse to any one amenity
  • Advantages
  • Can use the App to charge residents a monthly or annual membership fee or per-rental fee
  • Offers the convenience of bike rentals on-property
  • Fees collected can cover the cost of ongoing bike maintenance or parts
  • Disadvantages
  • No way to collect fees for bike use
  • Disadvantages
  • More likely to see pushback from residents to paying an annual amenity fee if other properties don’t charge for amenities
  • Residents are less forgiving of system downtime or if limited bike availability
  • Disadvantages
  • Per use or membership fees will discourage use of bikes
  • Per use or membership fees makes residents less forgiving of system downtime or if limited bike availability
  • More likely to build resentment or pushback (i.e. if you don’t charge to use the fitness room or pool, why are you charging to use the bikes)
  • More likely to see vandalism or abuse
  • Fees collected may not cover cost of system
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