Question 1

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Download the Drift Cycle app, set up your profile, located a Drift station, and scan the QR code on the back of a bike to rent!

Watch this video for more info:

https://www.driftlax.org//s/f/renting-a-drift-bike

Question 2

I'm having trouble ending or unlocking my rental.

Accepted Answer

Make sure the app is open and you are near the bike.  Make sure you have a stable wifi connection; to troubleshoot try turning wifi on and off or close out of app completely and reload.  Make sure the Drift Cycle app has permissions for Bluetooth, Photos, and Location in your devices settings.  Reinstall the app (a new update might be required) or turn your mobile device's Bluetooth off and on.If the grey lever doesn't go down all the way try rotating the back wheel of the bike slightly, a spoke could be in the way!Remember, you can always call the drift service number if you encounter an issue you cannot manage yourself! Watch this video for a tutorial on how to end your rental:https://www.driftlax.org//s/f/ending-your-rental

Question 3

Can I rent multiple bikes at a time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, users can rent up to 4 bikes at a time! 
After renting your first bike, click on "Add Ride" to add more bikes to your rental!

Question 4

What does it mean to "Pause my rental"?

Accepted Answer

Pausing your rental allows you to securely lock up the bike while you do something else (i.e. grabbing groceries), and prevents other users from renting the bike.   You can pause a rental at any location, but it must be outside a Drift Cycle station boundary.  Please note that you will be still be charged while your rental is paused.

Question 5

How can I apply a promo code?

Accepted Answer

In the app menu, select the "Promos" page and click the "Enter code" in the upper right hand corner to apply a promo code.

Question 6

How old do you have to be to rent a Drift Cycle bike?

Accepted Answer

You must be 18 years of age or older to register an account and accept the terms and conditions.  Children 14 years or older must be supervised by a parent or guardian while using a rental.

Question 7

There isn't room at the Drift Bike rack station, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Find the nearest bike rack or secure location and end your rental as usual.

Question 8

I was charged a penalty fee and I don't know why.

Accepted Answer

You may have received a penalty for ending your rental outside of a station's geofence or for damaging a bike during your rental.  If you believe this was an error go to "Help" then click "Report Issue" in the Drift Cycle app menu.

Question 9

How do I apply the 50% off discount for sponsor affiliate organizations?

Accepted Answer

Register in the app using your organizational email with the corresponding domain (i.e. @sponsor.com). If you already signed up with a different email, simply update your email in your profile (Click on "profile" in the menu and click the pencil in the upper right hand corner to edit). Next select "Promos" from the drop down menu in the upper left hand corner. Once you're in the promos section select "Available Promos" and find your organization. Tap on your organization and hit "Purchase" when it pops up. This will not charge you, it just adds the promo to the "My Promos" section of your app. Now when you go to rent a bike make sure that above your payment method it says your organization's discount. This will automatically apply the 50% off discount to the pricing of your rental!

Question 10

What are the hours for rental?

Accepted Answer

5am - 10pm daily during the season.  
December through February is our "off-season" where the bikes are placed into storage for maintenance (this may be altered based on weather conditions)

Question 11

What do I need to rent a bike?

Accepted Answer

Users need a mobile device, the Drift Cycle app, and credit card to rent a bike.

Question 12

Where do I find a bike?

Accepted Answer

There are 16 stations located around the La Crosse area.  You can find them in the Drift Cycle app, or here on our website on the "Stations" page.  Each station has a bike rack and signs with instructions!

Question 13

Can I lock my personal bike to the Drift bike rack?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Our mission is to promote biking in our community; providing much needed secure and visible racking is an important aspect of that goal.

Question 14

Will there be additional hubs or bikes in the future?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Drift Cycle has identified additional priority locations using past studies, research, sponsor interest, and user needs that we will expanding on in the future.  We welcome additional funding and sponsor support to make expansions of our bikes and stations possible.

Question 15

Do I need to wear a helmet?

Accepted Answer

While Drift Cycle does not provide or require helmets, it is encouraged by us and The WI Department of Transportation that all users wear helmets for protection.  Donors to Drift Cycle have made helmets available on a limited basis: If you are unable to acquire a helmet on your own, please contact us at Driftlax@gmail.com.

Question 16

Can I ride the bike when it is dark out?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The bikes are equipped with a front running light and rear reflectors on the pedals and fender.  These improve rider visibility and meet the State of Wisconsins laws.  
But please remember that Drift bikes can only be rented from 5am-10pm.

Question 17

Can I rent a bike for under 30 minutes, repeatedly, by returning it to a hub and checking it back out at a hub?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are currently no restrictions for "cool off" periods. Drift Cycle reserves the right to adjust the system to meet the goals of the program at any time.

Question 18

Can my organization or business sponsor a bike or hub?

Accepted Answer

Yes! there are many ways to support the program with your time, talents, and funds. Please contact driftlax@gmail.com for more information on pricing and availability.

Question 19

Where are the trikes and how do I use them?

Accepted Answer

We have two trikes that we keep at our Myrick Park and Riverside North stations. We try our best to keep them at these stations, but they may end up at other stations occasionally. Contact us for information on trike locations.

Our trikes are different than our regular bikes by having three wheels and a rear coastal brake that is activated by lightly pedaling backwards in addition to the front brake on the handlebar.

When getting on the trike, we recommend holding the brake on the handlebars to ensure the bike does not move. When using the trikes, start out slow until you are comfortable with the bike. Slow down for turns to ensure stability.

Check out our "Videos" section of our FAQ for a video with more information on using the trikes!

Question 20

Where are the Wyatt bikes and how do I use them?

Accepted Answer

We try our best to keep Wyatt bikes at all of our stations, but they end up moving around and may not be at every single station on a given day. However, if you specifically need a Wyatt bike you can tell what stations have one by looking in the Drift Cycle app. If you zoom in on a station in the app, you'll see a bike icon for every bike at that station. You can click on these bike icons and it will tell you the bike number in the top left-hand corner of the pop-up. If this number starts with a 2 (ex. 2004) it is a Wyatt bike! The bike number is also displayed on the back of the bike's basket so you can tell just by a glance which bike is a Wyatt bike while at the station.Our Wyatt bikes are different than our regular bikes because they have lower adjustable seats and a rear coastal brake that is activated by lightly pedaling backwards. Wyatt bikes also have lower gears to support a leisurely, safe riding speed. These features make the Wyatt bikes perfect for younger riders or shorter individuals. We recommend our Wyatt bikes to children aged 12 and up.When using the Wyatt bikes, start out slow until you are comfortable with the bike. Keep your feet on the pedals at all times using the rear coastal brakes to slow down and stop as opposed to putting your feet out to slow down or stop

Question 21

What is the Bike Angels Program?

Accepted Answer

The Bike Angels Program is our way of encouraging riders to end their rides at understocked stations. The Bike Angels Program rewards you with Drift Cycle Credit for returning bikes to stations where there aren’t very many bikes. It's a win-win system that helps our users enjoy cheaper rides while saving us time! It is now enabled at all stations and automatically activates when the number of bikes falls below a set threshold, which depends on the station. Keep a look out for any stations in our app with a star symbol by them, that means you’ll receive a credit equal to half the cost of your ride if you end your ride at that station. You can also double check by clicking the station itself to see an in-app explanation of the credit. Thanks for being a bike angel!