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Hire a Brisbane CityCycle for a fun and convenient way to get around the streets of Brisbane.
Regardless of whether you’re a local Brisbane resident or a tourist visiting Brisbane on holiday, you should definitely add hiring a Brisbane CityCycle to your Brisbane Bucket List.
There are 150 CityCycle stations located throughout inner city Brisbane with a large number of them located close to popular tourist destinations.
Read the tips below to ensure you avoid being charged usage fees.
Table of Contents
1. How much it cost to hire a Brisbane CityCycle?
There are two options for you when you hire a Brisbane CityCycle:
- Monthly subscription
- 24-hour access.
Monthly CityCycle Membership
A monthly CityCycle subscription will cost you either $5 for adults or $3 for students over the age of 17. Your credit card will be charged on the same date each month, until you cancel the membership. There is no lock-in contract, and it can be cancelled at any time.
You can link your membership to your Brisbane Translink GoCard or you will be sent a CityCycle Access Card in the mail. To borrow a bicycle just scan your card at any CityCycle Station.
You will have access to the entire Brisbane CityCycle network and can take an unlimited number of journeys. The first 30 minutes of every journey is free.
24-hour access with a Casual Pass
Anyone over the age of 17 can sign up for a casual pass, which provides 24-hour access for $2. You can use any CityCycle station within the entire Brisbane CityCycle network and can take an unlimited number of journeys in a 24-hour period. The first 30 minutes of every journey is free.
Once your 24-hours has expired a new Casual Pass can be purchased.
What are Brisbane CityCycle Usage Fees and how can I avoid paying them?
The first 30 minutes of every journey is free. If you go over 30 minutes in a single journey you will be charged a usage fee.
*The tip to not paying usage fees and only paying the basic rate of either $5 or $3 (for the monthly subscription) or $2 (for the 24-hour access) is to always keep each journey under 30 minutes.
If your journey is getting close to 30 minutes, return your bike to a bike rack at one of the 150 stations around Brisbane, wait one minute then go to the terminal and go through the normal borrowing process to borrow the bike again.
CityCycle usage fees:
- The first 30 minutes is – FREE!
- 31 minutes to 60 minutes – $2
- Every 30 minutes after – $5 every 30 mins with a maximum charge of $48
Do I need to pay a security deposit to hire a Brisbane CityCycle?
Yes. A security deposit of $48 will be debited from your credit card if you fail to comply with the Terms and Conditions of CityCycle or if the bike is not returned within 24 hours.
Are there any additional fees?
No, there are no additional fees or taxes. You will be charged in Australian Dollars and all prices listed above already include Australia’s Goods and Services Tax (GST).
2. How do I sign up for Brisbane CityCycle access?
Monthly membership – go to the Brisbane CityCycle website and sign up online.
24-hour access – go to the Brisbane CityCycle website or any Brisbane CityCycle Station and sign up with your credit card.
For 24-hour access you will be allocated a Casual Pass Number and will be asked to select a 4-digit PIN. You will need BOTH of these numbers EACH time you borrow a bike within your 24-hour period.
Use the Casual Pass Number and your PIN to borrow a CityCycle.
3. Are there any rules that I should be aware of?
You must be at least 17 years old to sign up for a Brisbane CityCycle and are required by law to wear a helmet at all times when riding a bicycle. A helmet will be provided in the basket of your CityCycle.
Look out for bicycle signs or a picture of a bicycle painted on the road / path. These will direct you where to ride. If there are no dedicated bike lanes then you can ride on the footpath, however pedestrians have right of way at all times.
See the Brisbane City Council Cycling rules, signs and safety tips for more information.
4. How do I find a Brisbane CityCycle Station?
There are 150 CityCycle Stations spread through out inner city Brisbane from Newstead and Fortitude Valley all the way across to the University of Queensland at St Lucia.
Download the All Bikes Now App for free from iTunes or Google Play for up-to-date station information or download the Map.
Bike hiring and returning is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Do I have to return the bike to the same Brisbane CityCycle Station that I borrowed it from?
No, you can return the bicycle to any station in the Brisbane CityCycle network as long as there is an empty bike rack for you to return your bike.
How do I know if there is an empty bike rack at a Brisbane CityCycle Station?
The All Bikes Now App shows every CityCycle station in the CityCycle network. From the App you can access the following information:
- Where is my nearest CityCycle station?
- How many empty spaces are available at nearby stations?
- Find closest station to a given address?
- Find out distance to the next CityCycle terminal.
Download the All Bikes Now App for free from iTunes or Google Play to ensure you have the most up-to-date station information.
What should I do if there are no empty bike racks and my 30 minutes is about to expire?
If there are no available bike racks at your chosen Brisbane CityCycle station, scan your access card (or enter your casual pass number) at the terminal to indicate you are trying to return your bike.
The terminal will then display nearby stations where bike racks are available. In this instance, you will have up to 15 minutes of free hire to return your bike to one of these nearby stations.
5. How do I borrow and return a Brisbane CityCycle?
Borrowing a Brisbane CityCycle
Decide which bike you would like to borrow and take note of the bike number on the bike rack.
Login at the station terminal using your Access Card or Casual Pass number. You will then be required to enter your PIN. Following the prompts, type in the number of your selected bike on the terminal screen.
You then have 60 seconds to press the unlock button on the bike rack of your chosen bike. Once you have pressed the unlock button you have up to five seconds to remove the bike from the rack. Just wheel the bike backwards and pull the locking mechanism away from the bike rack.
Returning a Brisbane CityCycle
Slide the locking mechanism into place on the bike rack.
Slide the locking mechanism into place at the docking station.
A long beep will sound if the bike is NOT locked correctly. Two beeps will sound and a green indicator light on the bike rack to confirm that the bike has been locked correctly and your hire is finished.
You should always check your bike is locked correctly as you will be held liable if the bike goes missing.
If you are unable to lock your bike into the bike rack, try again at another available bike rack, or contact the call centre on 1300 CCYCLE (1300 229 253) and a CityCycle advisor will assist you.
6. What are the features of Brisbane CityCycle bikes
Each bike has:
- three gears, a basket on the front and adjustable seat
- a lock and chain to secure the bike temporarily when not at a station
- a covered chain and brake wires to protect clothing and a step-through frame for easy mount and dismount
- road safety tips and bike information on the handle bars
- front and rear automatic lights
- front and rear brakes
- reinforced puncture-proof tyres
- wide handlebars for greater stability
- reflective strips on wheels and pedals
- safety bell
- bike helmet in the basket
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Leave a comment below on why you should hire a Brisbane CityCycle
Thank you Susan for such a comprehensive description. You’ve covered it well, answering questions I hadn’t considered. It seems to me that this system would work well for a combined walking and biking tour of the city. I’ll be trying it on my visit to Brisbane. Thank you for the detailed review.
Thanks for your feedback Anne. I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable the bikes were and how easy the system was to use.