Ice, ice, baby

Even in the throes of winter, plenty of you are still riding--and we love it! Like it or not, though, winter brings with it plenty of challenges for riders and bike share operators alike: Slick roads, less daylight, and the dreaded yeti. The purpose of this month's newsletter is to address some of the challenges we've been facing this winter, as well as to provide some tips on how you as a rider can maximize your winter riding experience. Best of all, Winter Bike to Work day is coming up later this month, so you have a perfect opportunity to show off your new-found cold weather confidence. Find out more below!

-The Boulder B-cycle Team

Winter Operations Update

This season marks the first winter that we've remained open 24 hours a day, and these increased hours of operation paired with limited solar access have resulted in unanticipated obstacles concerning station power. If you've been riding or keeping an eye on the B-cycle Now app, you may have noticed a number of stations disconnected on recent cold mornings.

After extensive testing, there seem to be a number of factors causing station power drops. They are as follows:

Problem: Many stations experience insufficient solar exposure during winter months.

Solution: Our operations team continues to adjust solar panels to maximize exposure. For more problematic stations, we are seeking possible locations for remote solar access.

Problem: Some batteries do not hold a charge beyond a few hours of darkness.

Solution: As our equipment ages, certain components will inevitably reach the end of their useful life cycles. We are testing and replacing older, unreliable batteries as needed.

Problem: Extreme cold affects the amount of charge some batteries are able to hold.

Solution: We have set up a battery-charging rig in our shop, allowing us to move fully charged batteries into stations experiencing power drops.

We appreciate your patience as we adjust to these expanded operations hours. System reliability remains of paramount importance. As always, please feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions.

Winter Riding Tips

Jeff knows a thing or two about winter riding

Haven't tried Winter bike riding? B-cycles are built for all weather conditions, so there's never been a better time to start. Here's how to make the most of winter weather:

Ride a B-cycle: As always, we've got your back with fenders, mudguards, lights, tires and maintenance!

Slow & steady: If you hit ice, don't panic. Pedal through it slowly. If you need to brake, use the rear brake only to avoid spinning out.

Don't hug the curb: Plowed snow tends to pile up in gutters, so make sure to give yourself plenty of space when riding.

Dress appropriately: You should be a little cold when you start riding. Too many layers can cause sweating, leading to dehydration and even hypothermia if the wind picks up.

Ride defensively & predictably: Drivers may not expect to see a bike on the road during winter. Make eye contact and make yourself visible with reflective clothing and hand signals.

Be safe: Helmets are still a good idea.

Winter Bike to Work Day: January 28th

Wednesday, January 28th is Boulder's seventh annual Winter Bike to Work and School Day. It's like summer Bike to Work and School Day, but for the cool kids.

What a great chance to parade your newfound winter riding skills! One lucky 24-hour pass rider will even win a free annual membership. Click here for more details.

As always, myriad free breakfast options are available around town. Register in advance to track your trips and win great prizes.

Reminder: Take our 2014 survey, win prizes

In an effort to better understand our riders and improve the services that we provide to you, we would appreciate your help in completing the above survey.

We've learned a lot from previous years' surveys, like the fact that everybody thought the survey was too long. With that in mind, we've cut down the number of questions significantly. This should only take about 5 minutes to get through.

Everyone who completes the survey between now and 1/31 is eligible to win prizes from local businesses, including Boulder Beer and Naked Lunch. One lucky participant will also receive a free annual Boulder B-cycle membership!

Sponsor Spotlight: Kaiser Permanente

Beware the Ides of February! The open enrollment deadline for health insurance sign-ups is just around the corner: February 15th. If you love your health, make sure that you're signed up for health insurance!

On an unrelated note, this month we'd like to once again recognize our presenting sponsor for 2015, Kaiser Permanente. Oh, what's that? Kaiser Permanente is a health insurance provider? So if people want to sign up for health insurance, they can sign up at KP.org? What a serendipitous coincidence.

Thanks for your continued support, Kaiser!

Your January Leaderboard!

(as of January 21st, 2015)

A new year means a new leaderboard: If you want to see your name up here, just get out and ride!

How to join the Leaderboard: If you're a Boulder B-cycle annual member, it's easy to join the Leaderboard. Simply login to your account at boulderbcycle.org, and select the checkbox labeled 'Join the Boulder B-cycle Leaderboard!' at the bottom of the page and click 'Update.'

Upcoming dates

Mark your calendars for these important upcoming dates!

Winter Bike to Work and School Day-1/28
Boulder B-cycle user survey closes-1/31

Station

Join Boulder B-cycle!

membership card

Interested in having access to 220 B-cycles at 38 stations in Boulder? How about access to 17 other B-cycle systems nationally? Like the idea of never doing bike maintenance? Want to be part of a nonprofit community initiative that provides carbon-free, healthy, affordable mobility?

Join us! As a Boulder B-cycle annual member, you'll also qualify for membership discounts at Community Cycles and eGo CarShare.