Uber's JUMP dockless electric bikes are hitting the pavement in Atlanta Monday.
What's an electric bike, you ask? JUMP bikes provide an electric assist boost---up to 20 mph, to be exact---with every pedal, making it easier for you to ride without exerting yourself.
The news comes less than a month after the company launched JUMP e-scooters around town. To celebrate the launch, Atlantans can get free 15-minute rides on JUMP e-bikes and scooters for the next three weeks, according to a news release.
After the free trial period, JUMP bikes will cost $1 to start and 10 cents a minute, with reduced pricing available to low-income residents. To access the scooters and bikes for free through January 27th, unlock the bike as normal and the discount will apply. Riders can take up to 5 free 15-minute rides per day, between JUMP bikes and scooters.
“Affordable and convenient, electric bikeshare has the potential to ease congestion in Atlanta by bridging the gap between traditional bikes and cars,” Jen Shepherd, JUMP general manager for the Southeast, said in a statement. “Deploying bikes at scale is another step toward our goal of reducing individual car ownership, and we’re excited for Atlantans to experience how JUMP bikes can help them go faster and farther - whether that’s to work, home, or a MARTA station.”
Uber is also partnering with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to give people the skills to bike safely in the city.
“With the launch of electric-assist shared bikes in Atlanta, JUMP is poised to propel biking in Atlanta forward,” Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, said in a statement. "The potential exists for a dramatic increase in the number of people riding - traveling both to and from their final destinations and connecting the first and last miles to public transit - given the accessible nature of e-bikes combined with Atlanta’s hills, heat, and sprawl."
JUMP e-bikes will come with an integrated cable lock and feature GPS intelligence, making sure users are held accountable during their rides and are responsible for locking their bikes to bike racks.
Here's a breakdown of how to use the JUMP bikes provided by Uber.
How to Use JUMP Bikes:
1. Download the latest Uber or JUMP app to find and reserve a nearby available bike.
On Uber: switch from "Ride" to "Bikes & Scooters" on the top mode switch menu.
On JUMP: tap a bike to reserve.
2. Scan the QR code on the phone mount to ride.
3. Lock the Bike after you’re finished riding.
Secure the bike to a rack or fixture using the rear cable lock.
Park responsibly within the system area and out of the way of pedestrians and other vehicles.
