Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
The BikeLink app and transit cards draw from the same online Bikelink account.
BikeLink cards have value stored on the card itself and do not draw from the BikeLink Online account.
You can use your Clipper regional transit card at some locations in the California Bay Area. We are working on accepting more regional transit cards soon including the Compass Card in the San Diego Area, the Orca Card in the Northwest, and the SmartTrip card in the Washington DC area.
Click here to buy a card online, here for retailer vendor locations, or call 1-888-540-0546 and choose option 1 to buy a card over the phone.
Each card can only park one bike at a time. If you need to park more than one bike at a time, you will need more than one card.
Here you can read the BikeLink system User Agreement.
You can buy a card online using a Visa, MasterCard, or CommuterCheck for Parking card.
You can buy a card with cash at any of the vendors that carry the BikeLink card. Many also accept credit or debit cards. Please contact the vendor directly for questions about what payment types are accepted.
You can also use some types of CommuterChecks to buy a card or add value. The CommuterCheck types that can be used are the blue CommuterCheck card that says "For Parking" on it and the paper vouchers which say "For Bicycling". Unfortunately we are not able to accept the green CommuterCheck card for transit. You can learn more about CommuterCheck here.
Rental rates are typically 5¢ per hour. The rental fee is deducted from your BikeLink® card.
BikeLink® cards cost $20 and have $20 of rental value stored on them. The value on the card never expires, but the physical card will not last forever. Please purchase a new card when your old card starts to look worn out. Then just use up the value on the old card before you start using the new one. We do not charge for the card itself, so there is no "penalty" for buying a new card.. There are no membership fees or other ongoing costs aside from the hourly rental charge.
If you use a group parking facility, your bike's security is increased by the fact that we check every new user's ID the first time they access the facility. Our 24-hour operators do this remotely via camera. There is a one-time $5 charge deducted from the card for this service.
While the value on the card never expires, if you lose your card the value is lost. We cannot transfer or refund value from a lost card.
You will still be able to end the rental and get your bike, but your card will be zeroed out and you will be unable to start a new rental until you add value to it.
Yes. Click here to purchase a unique code which will allow you to add value onto your card the next time you are at a locker. You can also purchase add value by calling 1-888-540-0546. If you use a group parking facility, the value will be added automatically the next time you use the facility. You can add value to your card up to 31 times before the memory chip on the BikeLink card fills up.
Maximum rental duration is displayed at each location. Typically it is between 3 and 10 days.
You can report a card as lost online using this form or by calling us. While the value on the card never expires, if you lose your card the value is also lost. The value is stored on the card itself, not on a network. This helps us to keep prices low.
If you lose your card when your bike is in a locker, we can help you retrieve it over the phone. Call our 24-hour helpline at (888) 540-0546.
One of the things that allows us to keep rental rates low is that our emergency response is limited to problems caused by equipment malfunction. If you have a question about this policy please email or call.
If you find that BikeLink® is not right for you, you may return your card for a full refund within 30 days of your purchase, provided the card is in new condition. Contact the BikeLink® main office here for return authorization. We are not able to offer refunds on cards beyond 30 days of purchase, or cards no longer in new condition.
No. Once an add value code has been issued, we do not have a way to take it back.
Unfortunately, we cannot refund the value on a lost or mechanically damaged card. Your BikeLink® card is like cash. The value is stored on the card itself, not on a network. Therefore, it is not possible to have value on a card refunded if you lose it or damage it.
Bending a card too much can invisibly damage the electronics. We do not recommend keeping your card in your wallet if you sit on it.
Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. At lockers, you can rent an empty space in advance to hold it, but make sure you do not let the meter expire on an empty space, or your card may be disabled.
You can see how many parking spaces are installed at each location by clicking here.
We currently accept Clipper Cards (SF Bay Area) and we are adding support for TAP Cards (LA Area) soon.
Yes! BikeLink® is an inter-agency network. This means your BikeLink® card will work at BikeLink® facilities provided by different owners and in different regions. Some facility owners may choose to require an additional access code for a portion of their facility to ensure that their own employees have priority access. Contact the facility owner directly if an on-screen message indicates that an access code is required.
Some BikeLink facilities require additional steps after you receive your card
Group Parking Facilities
If you use a group parking facility (where many bikes are parked inside one room) your bike's security is increased by the fact that we check every new user's ID the first time they access the facility. Our 24-hour operators do this remotely via camera. Bring your photo ID. There is a one-time $5 charge deducted from the card for this service.
San Diego Area
To use the San Diego area electronic bike lockers, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) requires that you register with them through the SANDAG iCommute program. Contact iCommute to sign up with them, and they will send you an access code.
web: SANDAG.org/BikeParking.
email: SustainableTransportation@sandag.org
phone: Call "511" then select option "5"
Private BikeLink Facilities
The following are restricted to use by their respective employees and tenants;
- Contra Costa Centre (2 spaces only. Neighboring 102 spaces are Public)
- San Jose City Hall
- Santa Cruz City Hall
- CSAA Headquarters Walnut Creek
- Lawson Lane
- Costa Verde Apts.
- Buchanan Park Apts.
To edit your profile:
- Log in to your BikeLink account
- Click "Profile" then "edit"
- Update your information and click 'save'
If you change your phone number or email address, you will have to re-verify them before the new information takes effect.
The two-year pilot project starts in the Yerba Buena Community Benefits District, south of Market Street, at the following locations: 4th & Minna Streets (Metreon) and Howard & 2nd Streets. Pending the outcome and evaluation, the SFMTA may consider additional bikehangars in other parts of the city.