Drop bikes in Kelowna ready to be picked up
Up to 200 bright orange bicycles will be available for rent, at a charge of $1 an hour, by Friday in downtown Kelowna.
The bikes began appearing on Monday and interest was considerable from the start, Dropbike employees say.
“We’ve had quite a few rented already,” said a worker at the company’s new downtown location at the base of the library parkade.
For now, the bikes will be available for rent only in downtown Kelowna, although the program could be expanded eventually to other areas of the city. The trial program was endorsed by the City of Kelowna earlier this year. Customers use a smartphone to download a Dropbike app, and use it to quickly pay for a rental. That unlocks the bike and allows the users to pedal off.
When the trip is over, customers can leave the bike at one of the designated drop-off zones, known as havens, or simply lock it to a handy railing or tree grate for later collection by Dropbike staff.