WE-cycle
WE-cycle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a fare-free community bikeshare across six communities in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, with 100 stations, 287 pedal bikes, and 201 e-bikes serving residents, commuters, and visitors since 2013.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersAspen, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WE-cycle does
WE-cycle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a fare-free community bikeshare serving six communities across Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley: Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Willits, El Jebel, and Carbondale. Founded in 2013 as the first bikeshare in North America outside of a metropolitan area, the organization provides short-distance transportation to local residents, commuters, visitors, and tourists through 100 docking stations, 287 pedal bikes, and 201 electric pedal-assist (Class I) e-bikes. The service runs 24/7 and is designed for first/last-mile transit connections to the regional bus network operated by the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).
The bikeshare platform is built on PBSC Urban Solutions technology and supports multiple access modes including the Transit mobile application, QR-code unlocks, and RFID key cards. WE-cycle was the first operator in Colorado to deploy a network of off-grid, solar-powered e-bike charging stations, a capability developed with Skyhook Solar through bifacial solar panels at locations in Aspen and Basalt. The system includes a dedicated helmet giveaway program and the Art in Motion initiative, which integrates local artists' designs onto stations and bikes in partnership with Aspen Public Art, Carbondale Arts, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center. WE-cycle also operates Movimiento en Bici, a Spanish-language community engagement program for Latino/Latina riders.
WE-cycle's revenue model is dominated by public funding rather than fares, since all rides under 30 minutes are free. Operating costs are underwritten by RFTA, the City of Aspen, Pitkin County, Eagle County, and the towns of Basalt, Snowmass Village, and Carbondale, supplemented by private station sponsors (e.g., Aspen Skiing Company, Alpine Bank, Aspen Valley Hospital, the Aspen Institute, Aspen Meadows Resort). The only direct rider charges are usage deterrents: $0.50/minute overage fees for pedal bikes, $5.00/minute for e-bikes, and up to $2,200 in replacement fees for lost or unreturned bicycles. Equipment is funded by founding partners, donors, local jurisdictions, and RFTA grants.
WE-cycle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WE-cycle
- Legal name
- WE-cycle
- Website
- https://we-cycle.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WE-cycle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a fare-free community bikeshare across six communities in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, with 100 stations, 287 pedal bikes, and 201 e-bikes serving residents, commuters, and visitors since 2013.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WE-cycle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Bikeshare / Micro-mobility Public Transit
- NAICS
- Taxi and Ridesharing Services (485310)
- SIC
- Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bikeshare (Station-Based/Docked) (TLAFAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Station-Based Bike Rentals (Bikeshare) (THADAGAD), E-Bike Rentals (THADAGAE)
Keywords
Where WE-cycle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aspen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
WE-cycle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public funding and sponsorships: WE-cycle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Day-to-day operations and fare-free service is funded by the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), local jurisdictions (City of Aspen, Pitkin County, Eagle County, Town of Basalt, Town of Snowmass Village, Town of Carbondale), and sponsors. Equipment is funded by founding partners, private donors, local jurisdictions, and RFTA.
- Late fees and usage charges: While rides up to 30 minutes are free, riders incur late fees for exceeding the free period: $0.50/min for pedal bikes and $5.00/min for e-bikes. This discourages long rides and encourages transit-oriented short trips.
- Station sponsorships: Station sponsorship program where local businesses and organizations sponsor specific stations (e.g., RFTA, Aspen Skiing Company, Alpine Bank, Aspen Meadows Resort, Aspen Institute, etc.)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free unlimited 30-minute rides |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pedal bike late fees |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | E-bike late fees |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Bicycle replacement fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
WE-cycle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WE-cycle operates a fare-free community bikeshare system providing 30-minute rides on 287 pedal bikes and 201 Class I e-bikes across 100 self-service docking stations spanning six communities (Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Willits, El Jebel, Carbondale) in the Roaring Fork Valley. Riders access bikes through the Transit mobile app, RFID key cards, or QR codes, with usage-based late fees applied beyond the 30-minute free window to encourage short transit-oriented trips and first/last-mile connections to RFTA bus service.
Product overview
WE-cycle operates a fare-free bikeshare system serving the Roaring Fork Valley across six communities (Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Willits, El Jebel, and Carbondale) with 100 stations, 287 pedal bikes, and 201 e-bikes. The system comprises the core WE-cycle Bikeshare System (built on PBSC Urban Solutions technology), supplemented by Pedal Bikes and E-Bikes as the primary vehicle offerings. Value-added services include the Art in Motion Program (public art on bikes and stations), Movimiento en Bici (Spanish-language community engagement), Helmet Giveaway Program (safety initiative), and Solar-Powered E-Bike Charging infrastructure. The system is operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with day-to-day operations funded by RFTA, local jurisdictions, and sponsors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Art in Motion: Program that incorporates art into bikeshare infrastructure, reimagining public space as a gallery on-the-go
- Movimiento en Bici
Products and services
- WE-cycle Bikeshare System A fare-free community bikeshare system serving the Roaring Fork Valley with pedal bikes and electric pedal-assist bikes available 24/7 at 100 docking stations across six communities (Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Willits, El Jebel, Carbondale). Riders self-register online and access bikes via the Transit mobile app, RFID key cards, or QR codes; trips under 30 minutes are free, with usage-based late fees thereafter.
- Pedal Bikes Traditional pedal-powered bicycles providing free 30-minute rides system-wide across WE-cycle's 100 stations. The fleet includes 287 pedal bikes available for checkout at any station, with late fees of $0.50/minute applied after the 30-minute free window.
- E-Bikes (Electric Pedal-Assist Bicycles) Class I electric pedal-assist bicycles offering free 30-minute rides, with a usage-based late fee of $5.00/minute after the free window. The fleet includes 201 e-bikes that can recharge at WE-cycle's solar-powered charging stations in Aspen and Basalt.
- Solar-Powered E-Bike Charging Off-grid solar charging infrastructure for e-bikes using Skyhook Solar bifacial panels at designated stations in Aspen and Basalt, making WE-cycle the first solar-powered e-bikeshare in Colorado and a pioneer in clean-energy micro-mobility.
- Art in Motion Program Art integration program that incorporates design into WE-cycle bikeshare infrastructure, transforming stations and bikes into public art galleries featuring local and regional artists in collaboration with Aspen Public Art, Carbondale Arts, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
- Helmet Giveaway Program Safety initiative providing free helmets to WE-cycle riders who meet eligibility criteria including having an active account and wanting to practice safer biking; available for pickup at the Aspen and Carbondale shop locations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Riders save money on gas and parking with free 30-minute rides
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use WE-cycle
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WE-cycle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
WE-cycle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
34 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and minor.
- Skyhook SolarkeyCollaboration on pioneering solar-powered e-charging stations for e-bikes. Skyhook Solar provides wing-like bifacial solar panels for off-the-grid e-bike charging.
- Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)coreRFTA is the primary funding partner for WE-cycle operations. WE-cycle integrates with RFTA bus service for first/last mile transit connections. Many RFTA bus stops have adjacent WE-cycle stations.
- PBSC Urban SolutionscoreWE-cycle operates as a PBSC Urban Solutions-based system. PBSC provides the bikeshare technology platform and infrastructure.
- City of AspencoreMajor funding partner and local jurisdiction. City of Aspen provides operational funding and supports station placements.
- Pitkin CountycoreLocal jurisdiction funding partner supporting WE-cycle operations in Pitkin County.
- Eagle CountykeyCounty jurisdiction funding partner for WE-cycle operations.
- Town of BasaltkeyLocal jurisdiction funding partner. WE-cycle expanded to Basalt with town support.
- Town of Snowmass VillagekeyLocal jurisdiction funding partner. WE-cycle serves Snowmass Village with multiple stations.
- Town of CarbondalekeyLocal jurisdiction funding partner. WE-cycle expanded to Carbondale in 2023.
- CORE (Community Office for Resource Efficiency)coreFounding Partner and grantor. CORE provides funding for solar-powered operations and e-bikeshare initiatives.
- Aspen Skiing CompanykeyStation sponsor with multiple stations near their properties and workforce housing. Supports sustainable transportation for employees and visitors.
- Alpine BankkeyStation sponsor at multiple locations (Galena St, Triangle Park, KDNK, The Launchpad). Supports community transportation.
- Aspen Valley HospitalkeyFounding partner since 2013. Supports healthy living through community bikeshare and sponsors the Aspen Valley Health station.
- The Aspen InstitutekeyStation sponsor at their campus location. Supports sustainable transportation for institute visitors and staff.
- Aspen Meadows ResortminorStation sponsor supporting community bikeshare at their resort property.
- The Romero GroupminorStation sponsor at Hunter Creek location.
- Crawford PropertiesminorStation sponsor at JW Dr | El Jebel Rd location.
- Aspen Music Festival and SchoolkeyStation sponsor at Benedict Music Tent and Marolt Housing locations.
- The GantminorStation sponsor at their property location.
- Frias Properties of AspenminorStation sponsor supporting community transportation.
- Lumen ResidencesminorStation sponsor at Willits Town Center and Evans Rd locations.
- The Myers Roberts CollectiveminorDesign partner for WE-cycle visual identity and materials.
- The Nick DeWolf FoundationminorFoundation supporter of WE-cycle.
- Valley SettlementminorLocal organization supporting WE-cycle community initiatives.
- The Steadman ClinicminorStation sponsor supporting community health through transportation.
- Aspen Chamber Resort AssociationminorTourism partner supporting WE-cycle visibility.
- English in ActionminorCommunity partner for bilingual outreach programs.
- mountainFLOW eco-waxminorStation sponsor providing eco-friendly bike maintenance products.
- Two Leaves and a BudminorStation sponsor in Basalt.
- Willits Town CenterminorStation sponsor at Willits location.
- Aspen Public ArtkeyCollaboration on Art in Motion program integrating art into WE-cycle stations and bikes in Aspen. Funded by City of Aspen's Public Art Program.
- Carbondale ArtskeyCollaboration on inaugural Art in Motion program for Carbondale, integrating local artist Bailey Haines' designs on stations and e-bikes.
- Anderson Ranch Arts CenterkeyPartnership for 2025 Snowmass Village Art in Motion program, bringing artist works onto WE-cycle stations and e-bikes.
- Movimiento en BicikeyWE-cycle's Latino/Latina engagement programming offering Spanish-language materials, customer support, and community outreach through bilingual staff Ana Tapia.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WE-cycle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Spin: Operates both docked and dockless e-bikes and e-scooters across U.S. cities and universities. Adjacent business model with university and small-city deployments that overlap with WE-cycle's community/transit positioning.
- Lime: Operates shared e-bikes and e-scooters in cities and campuses across North America and Europe. Their dockless model is an alternative paradigm to WE-cycle's station-based approach in similar markets (mountain towns, university campuses).
Direct peers
- BCycle: BCycle (operated by Trek Bicycle Corporation) runs a network of community bikeshare systems across the U.S. — the closest direct U.S. analogue to WE-cycle's station-based, community-funded operating model, though typically in metro areas.
- Nice Ride Minnesota: Twin Cities nonprofit bikeshare operator. Structurally very similar to WE-cycle as a community-supported nonprofit bikeshare, making it one of the closest analogues for operating-model comparison.
- Zagster: U.S. bikeshare operator (now part of Superpedestrian) that historically ran small-city and campus systems. Direct comparable for a community-scale bikeshare operator, though now under different ownership and strategy.
- Bike Share Toronto: Large urban station-based bikeshare operated via PBSC technology — the same hardware platform WE-cycle uses. Relevant as a PBSC-based peer and a comparable station-based ridership benchmark.
Others
- Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA): WE-cycle's primary funding partner and transit integration anchor. Not a competitor but the institutional ecosystem around WE-cycle — the regional bus authority that co-funds operations and shapes route planning.
- PBSC Urban Solutions: WE-cycle's technology vendor; a global provider of station-based bikeshare hardware and software. They are a supplier/ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but their other municipal and university customers are the most directly comparable operators to WE-cycle.
Broad incumbents
- Lyft Bikes: Operates docked bikeshare systems in major U.S. cities (Divvy in Chicago, Capital Bikeshare in DC, Citi Bike in NYC). Competes with WE-cycle only indirectly, but represents the large-scale, well-capitalized urban bikeshare alternative that WE-cycle's nonprofit model contrasts against.
Regional players
- Denver BCycle: Colorado-based BCycle system serving the Denver metro area. Same technology family (BCycle/Trek), same state operating environment, and a directly comparable free-membership program — the closest in-state peer to WE-cycle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WE-cycle social profiles
Digital presenceWE-cycle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WE-cycle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
WE-cycle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WE-cycle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WE-cycle
What does WE-cycle do?
WE-cycle operates a fare-free community bikeshare system providing 30-minute rides on 287 pedal bikes and 201 Class I e-bikes across 100 self-service docking stations spanning six communities (Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Willits, El Jebel, Carbondale) in the Roaring Fork Valley. Riders access bikes through the Transit mobile app, RFID key cards, or QR codes, with usage-based late fees applied beyond the 30-minute free window to encourage short transit-oriented trips and first/last-mile connections to RFTA bus service.
Is WE-cycle a public or private company?
WE-cycle is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WE-cycle founded?
WE-cycle was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WE-cycle based?
WE-cycle is headquartered in Aspen, United States, in the North America region.
How does WE-cycle make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public funding and sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are late fees and usage charges and station sponsorships.
Who are WE-cycle's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Spin and Lime. Direct peers are BCycle, Nice Ride Minnesota, Zagster and Bike Share Toronto. Others are Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) and PBSC Urban Solutions. Lyft Bikes is listed as a broad incumbent. Denver BCycle is listed as a regional player.
Does WE-cycle have an API?
No public API is recorded for WE-cycle.
What industry is WE-cycle in?
WE-cycle's product category is Community Bikeshare / Micro-mobility Public Transit. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAMAE, Bikeshare (Station-Based/Docked), with a secondary code of THADAGAD, Station-Based Bike Rentals (Bikeshare). Its NAICS code is 485310 and its SIC code is 4100.