MetroBike services to halt temporarily as city revamps bike-share program

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro's bike-share program, MetroBike, will be temporarily halted starting in July while the transportation provider works to revamp and relaunch the program.

CapMetro said starting July 1, existing MetroBike services will be temporarily suspended as the bike-share program is upgraded. It will return as CapMetro Bikeshare later this summer.

According to CapMetro, its bike-share program will undergo significant upgrades that will "completely revitalize" the service and introduce new equipment, a new app and more.

CapMetro Bikeshare will begin rolling out later in July, and full completion is expected in the fall. 

"The transition to CapMetro Bikeshare represents our dedication to providing innovative, sustainable and convenient transportation options for Austin,” said Dottie Watkins, president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to offer these new e-assist bikes, enhanced docking stations, and improvements, to ensure a better biking experience and make it easier and more enjoyable to navigate our city.”

All new bikes will be e-assist bikes, with no more fully manual-powered bikes. CapMetro will "rehome" its MetroBike equipment to another city interested in bike-share, and any equipment that isn't sold will be rehomed to a nonprofit or other organization.

The transportation provider is also working to replace/install 76 bike stations this summer, with the goal of eventually having 300 stations.