What Explore Bike Share does

Explore Bike Share, Inc. (EBS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered at 287 S. Fourth Street in Memphis, Tennessee. It operates a station-based electric pedal-assist bicycle sharing system across Memphis and Shelby County, with 40 docking stations providing 24/7 access. The organization holds the distinction of having launched the country's first all-electric pedal-assist bike share fleet in 2021, transitioning from any prior traditional fleet to a fully electric one using TREK-manufactured e-bikes equipped with Bosch 3-speed turbo drive motors.

The operating technology is built on the licensed BCycle platform, accessed via a mobile app on iOS and Android for bike checkout, station availability, and account management. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of streams: pay-per-ride passes ($5 + $1 unlock + $0.30/min), three-day passes ($35), annual memberships ($120/month or $499/year), corporate memberships for organizations of 10 to 10,000 employees, group ride bookings (Station Rides, EBS Rides, and Caravan Rides ranging from $30 to $2,400), bulk guest passes with volume discounts, and a four-tier sponsorship program (Network, Sustaining, Station, Community). The organization also accepts donations and charitable contributions as a registered nonprofit.

EBS serves four primary customer segments: individual consumers (commuters, tourists, residents seeking active transportation), corporate/employer organizations (employee wellness benefits), event organizers (group rides for up to 20 people), and the hospitality/tourism sector (hotels and tourism operators offering guest access). Go-to-market is primarily product-led through the self-serve BCycle app, with field-based B2B sales for corporate memberships and sponsorships. Anchor partners include Nike Community Impact Fund, TDOT, US Department of Transportation, MLGW, Downtown Memphis Commission, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, Hyde Family Foundation, and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, providing both financial sponsorship and distribution reach. The organization's board includes senior representatives from MLGW, Downtown Memphis Commission, and other Memphis institutions, embedding governance with the local civic and corporate ecosystem.

Name

Explore Bike Share

Legal name

Explore Bike Share, Inc.

Website

https://explorebikeshare.bcycle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Explore Bike Share is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 40-station electric pedal-assist bike sharing system across Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, using the BCycle platform and TREK e-bikes. It serves individual consumers, corporate employee-benefit programs, group events, and tourism partners, funded by usage fees, memberships, sponsorships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Micromobility and Bike Sharing Services

NAICS

Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Bikeshare (Station-Based/Docked) (TLAFAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bicycle Programs & Bike Share (Parking, Repair, Rentals) (EDALAKAE), E-Bike Rentals (THADAGAE), Shared Mobility Operations & Fleet Services (Charging/Swapping, Rebalancing, Maintenance) (TLAFAMAJ), Bike Rental, Demo & Tour Operators (Retail-Adjacent) (CRAMAHAJ), Station-Based Bike Rentals (Bikeshare) (THADAGAD)

Keywords

• E-bike sharing
• Micromobility services
• Bike share program
• Electric pedal-assist bicycles
• Corporate bike memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pay-per-ride fees: E-Bike Pass at $5 for 20-minute ride plus $1 unlock service fee, with $0.30 per additional minute. Revenue generated from per-minute usage charges.
2. Time-limited passes: Three Day Pass at $35 for unlimited 60-minute rides over three consecutive days (72 hours), with $0.30 per minute after 60 minutes per ride.
3. Annual membership subscriptions: Annual Membership at $120/month or $499 yearly for unlimited 60-minute rides over 365 days, with $0.30 per minute after 60 minutes.
4. Corporate/employee memberships: Customized corporate membership programs for organizations (10 to 10,000 employees) with unlimited bike rides and 24/7 access across 40 stations. Pricing customized based on organization size and benefits goals.
5. Group ride bookings: Station Rides at $30 per e-bike for groups of 5-10 riders up to 3 hours. EBS Rides at $30 per e-bike for groups of 10-20 riders up to 5 hours. Caravan Rides ranging from $1,000-$2,400 depending on group size and day.
6. Guest passes bulk sales: Bulk guest pass sales with volume discounts: 10% off for 20-49 passes, 15% off for 50-199, 25% off for 200+ passes.
7. Sponsorship programs: Four-tier sponsorship levels: Network Sponsor (exclusive, primary network sponsor), Sustaining Sponsor (annual operations), Station Sponsor (designated stations), Community Sponsor (community activities). Benefits include discount ridership, complimentary passes, media recognition, and branded signage.
8. Donations and charitable contributions: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting donations to support healthy lifestyles and alternative transportation. DAF (Donor-Advised Fund) contributions accepted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Explore Bike Share operates a station-based electric pedal-assist bicycle (e-bike) sharing program across 40 docking stations in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. Users access the service via the BCycle mobile app to rent TREK e-bikes with Bosch motors on a per-ride, multi-day, or annual membership basis, with separate corporate membership programs, group ride bookings, sponsorship tiers, and gift card offerings. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that also accepts donations to support its community mobility mission.

Product overview

Explore Bike Share operates as a nonprofit e-bike sharing system across Memphis and Shelby County, featuring the BCycle technology platform with a network of 40 docking stations. The core offering is the e-bike sharing service accessed via the BCycle mobile app. The product portfolio includes individual passes (E-Bike Pass, Three Day Pass, Annual Membership, MLGW Annual Members), group ride services (Station Rides, EBS Rides, Caravan Rides), corporate programs (Employee Benefits Program with corporate memberships), and auxiliary offerings (Guest Passes and E-Gift Cards). Sponsorship tiers (Network, Sustaining, Station, Community) provide additional revenue and partnership channels. In 2021, Explore Bike Share became the country's first all e-bike fleet, transitioning to state-of-the-art electric pedal-assist bicycles made by TREK with Bosch motors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Explore Bike Share E-Bike Sharing Service Core nonprofit e-bike sharing program providing on-demand electric pedal-assist bicycles from 40 stations across Memphis and Shelby County. Rentals are accessed via the BCycle mobile app, with bikes picked up and returned at docking stations.
• BCycle Mobile App Mobile application used to access Explore Bike Share's e-bike sharing service. Enables users to locate stations, view real-time dock availability, unlock e-bikes, manage passes, and review ride history. Available on iOS App Store and Google Play.
• E-Bike Pass Single-ride pass priced at $5 for a 20-minute ride, with a $1 unlock service fee and 30 cents per additional minute. Includes a $15 pre-authorization hold (auto-refunded) for new passes. Designed for one-time riders and casual users.
• Three Day Pass Short-term membership priced at $35 for unlimited 60-minute rides over three consecutive days (72 hours), with 30 cents per minute charged after 60 minutes per ride.
• Annual Membership Long-term membership priced at $120 per month or $499 yearly, offering unlimited 60-minute rides for 365 days with 30 cents per minute after 60 minutes.
• Corporate Employee Benefits Program Customized corporate membership program offering organizations unlimited employee bike rides with 24/7 access across 40 stations. Scalable from 10 to 10,000 employees, with EBS providing insurance and responding to inquiries within one business week.
• Group Ride Bookings (Station, EBS, and Caravan Rides) Guided group e-bike rides for corporate meetings, team building events, and outings for up to 20 people. Station Rides (5-10 riders, 3 hours) and EBS Rides (10-20 riders, 5 hours) at $30 per e-bike; Caravan Rides deliver 4-20 e-bikes to a chosen Memphis location ($1,000-$2,400). Requires 3 weeks advance booking.
• Bulk Guest Passes Bulk pass purchases for visitors and groups offering 24/7 bike share access, with 10% off for 20-49 passes, 15% off for 50-199 passes, and 25% off for 200+ passes.
• E-Gift Cards Digital gift cards available in three tiers: E-Bike Pass ($5), Three Day E-Gift Card ($35), and Annual E-Gift Card ($120/month or $499/year). Sold through Stripe payment processing on the website.
• Sponsorship Program Four-tier corporate sponsorship program: Network Sponsor (exclusive primary sponsor), Sustaining Sponsor (annual operations), Station Sponsor (designated stations), and Community Sponsor (community activities). Benefits include discount ridership, complimentary passes, media recognition, and branded signage.

Quantifiable outcome

• First all e-bike fleet in the US (2021)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Downtown Memphis CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal downtown development organization supporting bike share stations and promoting sustainable transportation in downtown Memphis.
• Central Station HotelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal hotel with branded bike share station on property. Provides guest access to bike share as amenity.
• City of West MemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in Arkansas providing support and potential station expansion for bike share service.
• Shelby County Health DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty health agency with bike share station, supporting public health through active transportation.
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth insurance provider supporting bike share as wellness initiative. BCBST logo appears on website.
• BCyclecoreTechnology or IntegrationBike share technology platform providing app infrastructure, station systems, and operational technology for the bike share service. App named BCycle.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lime: Lime operates station-based e-bike share in multiple cities alongside its free-floating e-bikes and scooters. Both run BCycle-style docked models and e-bike fleets, addressing the same consumer and corporate customers.
• Capital Bikeshare: Capital Bikeshare is a station-based bike share system serving the Washington DC metro area via Lyft. Directly comparable as a docked bike share with subscription and per-ride pricing.
• Bird: Bird operates shared e-bike and e-scooter fleets across US and international cities. Comparable micromobility offering with similar consumer target and corporate sponsorship patterns, though primarily free-floating rather than docked.
• Divvy (Chicago): Divvy is the docked bike share system in Chicago, operated by Lyft. Functions as a near-identical operating model (stations, passes, annual memberships) with a focus on a single metropolitan area.
• Bewegen (CycleHop): Bewegen deploys docked e-bike share systems for cities and universities, including white-label station-based operations. Comparable as a peer that builds and operates station-based bike share networks of similar scale to EBS.
• BCycle (Trek Bicycle): BCycle is the bike-share technology platform (operated by Trek) that powers Explore Bike Share's station software, mobile app, and docking hardware. Direct peer as the underlying platform provider and a fellow bike-share operator in other cities.
• Citi Bike (New York): Citi Bike is the largest station-based bike share in the US, operated by Lyft in New York City. The closest direct analog in business model and product, though at materially larger scale.

Others

• Bosch eBike Systems: Bosch supplies the 3-speed turbo drive powertrain on EBS's TREK e-bikes. Component supplier with no direct overlap in service operations, but a critical ecosystem partner for e-bike hardware quality.
• Trek Bicycle Corporation: Trek manufactures the e-bikes used by EBS (and operates the BCycle platform). Supplier and technology partner, not a direct competitor, but materially relevant as the upstream hardware and software provider.

Broad incumbents

• Lyft Bike and Scooter Sharing (Citi Bike, Divvy, Capital Bikeshare): Lyft operates docked bike share systems in major US cities (New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, Bay Area). Directly comparable business model (station-based bike share), but at much larger scale and with broader multimodal transportation offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/explorememphis
• Facebookfacebook.com/explorebikeshare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/b-cycle
• Instagraminstagram.com/explorebikeshare

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Explore Bike Share