Bike shares were designed to allow users to make short, one-way trips around town. The sturdy-framed bikes are available at any docking station in the city. The bikes can be taken from any station and returned to any station within the LouVelo service area.
While bike shares have similarities to traditional bike rental, bike shares are perfect for short, one-way trips around town. Traditional bike rental is designed to accommodate users that need rentals for longer periods of time.
LouVelo is for riders 16 years or older. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Riders use streets, bike lanes, and bikeways throughout the city of Louisville. Bicycles are not allowed on sidewalks, expressways, and highways (such as the Watterson or I-65). Riders are also prohibited on streets where there are “No Bicycle” signs posted.
300 bikes and 39 stations are available throughout the Louisville area. Check out Transit App or locations.
Bike share is perfect for short trips around town. Riders use bike share for commuting to work or for leisurely rides such as running errands, going to appointments, or meeting up with friends. Bike share can also connect you to our public transportation, TARC. Others use bike share for light exercise, exploring the city, or simply for the joy of being on a bike!
Bike share is very useful if you have your own bike. LouVelo is perfect for short, one-way trips; using bike share when you are already out or unable to ride your own bike is a great way to get you where you want to go. There’s no need to carry your bike lock, it spares your bike from wear, tear, and repair, and it can get you quickly from Point A to Point B. When you ride with LouVelo, you don't just get access to our great bike share--you also get our team of local, dedicated bicycle enthusiasts to help you out if you've got any issues or concerns!
See pricing details for all the pricing options.
A "station" is a collection of bikes that are available around the city. These stations are solar-powered and hold a variable number of bikes. Some stations have a "kiosk"; other stations do not.
A "kiosk" refers to a station that has an interactive touch screen for buying passes, getting ride codes, and redeeming gift certificates. Not all stations have kiosks; for those that do not, ride codes can be generated in the Transit App. See the "Get the App" section for more information on the Transit App.
A "dock" refers to the individual port that keeps an available bicycle locked in place. Bicycles that are locked into a docking port can only be unlocked using a bike share key or ride code. The dock has a slot for the bike share key and a keypad to enter a ride code. Each dock has a red, yellow, and green light. A red light indicates a bike that needs service and cannot be unlocked or used.
The stations are located around the city and have been placed based on population and transport needs. See the Station Map for exact locations.
How many bikes and stations are there?
321 bikes and 32 stations are available throughout Louisville. See the Station Map for all bike locations and stations.
LouVelo is an enjoyable and cost-effective way to get around Louisville. Go Pay-as-You-Go, buy a Blue Grass Pass, or become a Monthly/Annual Member to gain access to 321 bikes throughout the city. Locate a bike at one of the 32 stations and return the bike to any other station in the bike share system. Take as many quick trips as you want while your pass or membership is active. See How It Works for more information.
LouVelo bicycles were designed to fit riders of all heights and sizes. At the bottom of the seat post is a black lever that lets you adjust the seat to your height. The seat post also has numbers, so you can remember your height setting. See Meet the Bike for more information. Don't forget: you must be 16 years or older to ride LouVelo.
"The first 60 minutes of each ride is included in the base price of any memberships. Extra usage fees apply after 30 minutes.
Pay-as-You-Go customers pay $4.95/ 30 minutes.
Return the bike to any station with an open dock. Locate an available dock on the Station Map or Transit App. Match the triangle on the front of the bike with the dock and insert the bike firmly. When a green light appears on the left side of the dock, the bike has been docked correctly.
To use LouVelo, you must join as a Monthly/Annual Member, purchase a Blue Grass Pass, or start a Pay-as-You-Go rental. Locate an available bike on the Station Map or Transit App. Monthly/Annual Members insert their bike share key into a dock to unlock the bike. Day Pass users enter their ride code on the keypad on the dock. After inserting your bike share key or typing your ride code, a green light appears on the dock and unlocks the bike. Remove the bike from the dock by lifting the seat or pulling backwards on the handlebars.
Monthly/Annual Members can log into their accounts and check their billing statements.
Riders that purchased a Day Pass can go to a kiosk at any station, push “Account Info,” and review the instructions on the touch screen. For questions or help, contact Customer Service.
Match the triangle on the front of the bike with the dock and insert the bike. A yellow light then appears. If a green light appears, the bike locks into the dock and your ride has ended. If a red light appears, the bike is not locked into the dock. If no light appears, the bike is not locked into the dock. If a red light or no light appears, remove the bike from the dock and re-insert the bike into the dock firmly. If you have trouble docking your bike, call Customer Service at 502-373-2500.
Annual memberships are activated within one business day of purchase. A bike share key is sent in the mail, but riders can always generate ride codes on the Transit App regardless if they have their key or not. See Get the App for more information on Transit.
Yes, members can generate ride codes on the Transit App. See Get the App for more information.
No, Memberships cannot be shared and are not transferrable. As the account holder, you will be responsible for any usage fees or lost bike fees if you lend your bike share key to a friend.
Members are automatically registered for auto-renew when you sign up for a Membership. The card on file will be billed the day before your membership expires, so there is no stoppage in service.
Yes, please contact Matthew Glaser, our General Manager, @ 502-643-0363 for pricing information.
Sign up through this website. Follow the "Sign Up" link at the top of the page.
Once you sign up for a Membership through this website, you should receive a bike share key via mail in 2-3 business days. If you don’t receive your bike share key, please contact Customer Service @ 502-373-2500.
Even if you don't have your key yet, you can still ride as soon as you sign up for a Membership! See Get the App for more information on using the Transit App to get ride codes.
Once you insert your bike share key into the slot on the dock, a yellow light appears first and then turns green. If a green light appears, the bike unlocks and you can remove the bike from the dock. If a red light appears, remove the key, wait for the light to turn off, and try again.
If you’re not getting any light at all when you insert your bike share key into the slot on the dock, make sure your bike share key has been activated. If your bike share key is activated and you need help, contact Customer Service @ 502-373-2500.
Since usage fees are incurred for rides longer than 60 minutes or for lost bikes, every member must have an active credit card on file. See Annual Membership for more information. Please log into your account and update your information if your address changes or your credit card expiration date is soon.
No, Members may use only one bike at a time. Either purchase a Day Pass, or sign up for Pay-as-You-Go from a station kiosk for a friend that wants to use LouVelo.
Purchase a Blue Grass Pass for $7.50 for 24-hour access.
Purchase a pass with any major credit card or debit card at any station kiosk’s touch screen. Prepaid cards are not accepted.
Once you buy a Blue Grass Pass you will receive a 5-digit ride code. Enter the ride code on the keypad on the dock once you locate an available bike. Ride codes are valid for 5 minutes and are for single-use only. Once your ride code expires, or you want to ride again while your pass is active, you can generate a new key code in the Transit App. For multiple bikes on one pass, one ride code is issued to unlock all bikes.
The first 60 minutes of each ride is included in the base price of the pass. Extra usage fees apply after 30 minutes. See Pricing for more information on pricing.
You can purchase a Blue Grass Pass in the Transit App and get ride codes to unlock bikes right from your mobile device. See Get the App for more information.
A pre-authorization of $1 per bike is charged to your card account in case you incur any additional usage fees. If you do not incur any additional usage fees, your card will not be charged. If you use a debit card and do not have sufficient funds in your account to cover the hold, your bank might charge you overdraft fees. A credit card is recommended when buying passes through LouVelo.
Each Blue Grass Pass allows up to 4 bikes @ $7.50 per bike for a Blue Grass Pass. See Pricing for more information.
No. For multiple bikes on one pass, one ride code is issued to unlock all bikes. If you want to ride again after returning your bike and while your pass is active, you can generate a new ride code via the Transit App.
As many times as you want while your pass is active! The first 60 minutes of each ride is included in the base price of the pass. Extra usage fees apply after 30 minutes. See Pricing for more information.
There are always risks with any mode of transportation, but bike share is relatively safe. The sturdy-framed bikes are durable and comfortable. Each bicycle comes with a loud bell, several reflectors and self-powered LED lights, so the bike is easily seen by cars and other cyclists. All of these features, along with riders staying alert, reduce the chance of an accident. All riders should also wear a helmet to reduce the risk of head injury in case of an accident. Don't have a helmet? Stop by our office @ 822 E. Market St. and we'll hook you up--at no cost to you!
Adjust the seat for your height, press the brakes to check the resistance, ring the bell to make sure it is functioning, and check that the tires are inflated. If you have any issues or concerns, contact Customer Service @ 502-373-2500.
Bike lanes are throughout the city of Louisville. Many of our stations have maps illustrating the location of bike lanes throughout the city.
Cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while riding. Although adults 18 years and older are not required by law to wear a helmet, all riders should wear a helmet to reduce the risk of head injury in case of an accident.
Don't have a helmet? Stop by our office @ 822 E. Market St. and we'll hook you up for free!
Once you’ve entered the correct ride code on the keypad on the dock the green light should appear. If it does not appear, your ride code may not work because:
-The red light is illuminated on the dock, indicating that the bike requires service and cannot be unlocked from the dock.
-The dock is not working properly.
-The ride codes is expired. Codes expire 5 minutes after they are issued.
If your ride code is still valid, locate another available bike at the station and try entering the ride code again. If your ride code still doesn’t work, wait 5 minutes and try again. If you are still having issues, contact Customer Service @ 502-373-2500.
Contact Customer Service at 502-373-2500 to deactivate your bike key as soon as possible. Any extra usage, damage, or lost bike fees incurred by your bike share key will be your responsibility before you report your key as lost or stolen.
Return the bike to the closest dock and press the “wrench” button. A red light appears on the dock, and the bike is permanently locked so no other rider can use it until it is serviced by a technician.
Riders are responsible for their bikes from the time they unlock them from a dock until they lock them in a dock after a ride. If your bicycle is stolen while it is checked out, contact Customer Service at 502-373-2500. Riders may be responsible for the fee of recovery or replace of the bike—$1200 (+ tax).
Your bike share key may not work because:
You haven’t activated your bike share key yet. Log into your account and activate your bike share key.
You haven’t returned your last bike. You must return the bike before you take out another bike.
Your credit card on file is expired or invalid. Your key deactivates if you do not have an active credit card on file.
You aren’t inserting your bike share key correctly into the slot in the dock. If a light appears when you insert your bike share key, your key is working.
If you are still having problems with your bike share key, contact Customer Service @ 502-373-2500 to receive a new key.
If there is a bike on the dock, it means the bike needs to be serviced by a technician and cannot be used until that is done.
If there is no bike on the dock, it means there is an issue with the dock. It will not accept a bike return.
If the bike you take out has an issue, just return it to the closest dock and press the “wrench” button to alert technicians that the bike requires service.
Find another station on the Transit App, the Station Map, or the station kiosk. To avoid usage fees after 30 minutes, go to the station kiosk, press “No bike docks available?” and follow the instructions to receive an extra 15 minutes to find an available dock. You can always contact Customer Service @ 502-373-2500 to alert a technician to retrieve bikes from a full station.
Call 911 immediately if you are injured.
Riders must also contact LouVelo as soon as possible @ 502-373-2500. Tell the representative all of the facts of the crash.
Please note that the bike is still your responsibility until it is locked at a dock. If you are unable to dock your bike, contact Customer Service and a LouVelo representative will assist you.
Contact Customer Service at 502-373-2500.