If you’ve spent any time in a large city lately you may have seen people riding around town on small electric bicycles or scooters.
Are you wondering where everyone is getting one of these cool e-bikes or scooters?
Wheels scooters and electric bikes have taken many cities by storm
Want to learn more about Wheels electric bikes?
Here we’ll review price, features, and how they work.
Table Of Contents
What are Wheels Electric Bikes?
Wheels is an e-bike company trying to improve congestion and traveling in large cities.
As traffic congestion grows, it can take longer and longer to travel around a big city.
Too many cars and not enough public transportation can make getting to work or across town extremely difficult.
Wheels are attempting to change this trend.
E-bikes are compact, environmentally friendly, and can greatly reduce traffic congestion.
Wheels have designed one of the best e-bikes in the industry and have begun renting to riders in many large cities in the US.
Suggested Resource
If you’re looking for other electric bike rental options, also check out JUMP Bikes, Divvy Bikes, LimeBike, and Citibike.
Their E-Bikes and App Make Renting and Dropping Off a Bike Easy.
The smartphone app helps you find the closest bike and unlock it.
Once payment is received, you unlock the bike and can ride all day.
The e-bike is fully motorized and does not require pedaling.
At speeds up to 18mph, you can travel approximately 30 miles on a single charge.
Filled with high-tech sensors and technologies, Wheels bikes are at the cutting edge of the rental e-bike market.
You’ll find the bike is filled with safety and comfort features that make riding fun and enjoyable.
Wheels also let you drop off your bike nearly anywhere.
This makes renting from Wheels much more convenient than the other bike rental companies in town.
Where are Wheels Electric Bikes Available?
Wheels E-Bikes are available in many major cities in the United States.
Once you download the app, you can check the map to find the closest e-bike for rent.
- Austin, TX
- Culver City, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- New York City, NY
- Orlando, FL
- San Diego CA,
- Santa Monica, CA
- Seattle, WA
- West Hollywood, CA
You can also find Wheels rentals at several US universities.
- St. John’s University
- UCLA
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- The University of Texas at Austin
Finally, Wheels has also begun providing e-bikes for European Union clients in Berlin, Brussels, and Vienna.
Wheels are looking to expand and will be coming to a city near you soon.
How Much Does a Wheels Electric Bike Rental Cost?
Renting a bike for the day is simple and affordable. Unlocking the bike costs $1.
Once you are riding you will be charged 38 cents per minute.
The minimum fare for a single trip is $3.49.
Wheels also offer long-term rentals.
Starting at $89.99 a month you receive a bike and unlimited rides during the month. Long-term rentals also include a charger and lock.
You are required to pay a $25 security deposit for a long-term rental.
The Long-term rental option is a subscription-based service and will automatically renew.
There is no penalty for canceling a long-term rental early.
Feel free to cancel at any time.
Also, note that if your rental bike is damaged or stolen you may be responsible for the repairs or replacement.
Fees for a replacement bike can reach $1500.
Are There Promo Codes Available for Wheels E-Bike Rentals?
The Wheels app offers promo codes to riders.
If you have a promo code or coupon for a rental you can simply enter the code during the transaction.
During payment, you need to tap the menu icon. Underneath payment methods, you should find where to enter the promo code for your purchase.
Wheel Electric Specifications
Wheels electric bikes are state of the art and feature a wide range of convenience and safety features.
- Electric hub motor with a top speed of 18mph.
- Ride up to 30 miles on a single charge.
- Daytime running lights for safety.
- The Padded seat and collapsible pegs provide added comfort.
- 14inch fat tire wheel design.
- A BlueTooth sound system that connects to your smart device.
- Front and rear disc brakes will keep the bicycle safe on the road
- Real-time drive analysis ensures safe and efficient trips.
- The LCD screen provides directions and data in multiple languages.
- Height 39.9in, length 49.2in, width 21.1in., weight 40lbs.
What Kind of Bikes Does Wheels Use?
Wheels use a custom-designed electric bicycle.
This design has a low center of gravity and rides like a bike.
This makes it comfortable and safer than other rental options like scooters.
The 14-inch wheels on the bike give you excellent mobility and allow you to safely navigate rough pavement, potholes, or other dangerous road conditions.
Inside the bike, there is a wide range of high-tech sensors that prevent tipping and allow the bike to self-diagnose issues and send them to the engineers at Wheels for real-time analysis.
The seamless design of this electric bicycle gives it a unique and eye-catching form factor of Wheels lets them stand out compared to other rental options as well.
How Fast Does a Wheels Electric Bike Go?
Wheels use a highly efficient and quiet electric hub motor on all their e-bikes.
You should have no problem achieving a top speed of 18 mph or 29kph during your rental.
In traffic, 18mph is the perfect balance of speed and safety during your trip.
For reference, most bicyclists can average a speed of 15mph consistently.
To learn more about the bikes that Wheels uses, check out this detailed video that covers the ins and outs of the hardware:
How to Rent a Wheels Electric Bike
All transactions are handled inside the Wheels app for your smartphone.
The app is available for download for iOS and Android devices.
Once you download the app you will need to register and set up billing details.
Once inside the app, there is a map showing the locations of the nearest e-bikes.
Simply choose the closest electric bicycle and walk to it.
After you find the bike, scan the QR code on the handlebars and the bike will unlock.
If this is your first ride, you will need to read and agree to Wheel’s terms of service in the app.
You’ll also need to verify that you are 18 years or older.
After the verification process, you are free to ride your rental e-bike around town.
Requirements to Ride a Wheels Electric Bike
Even if you don’t have a driver’s license, you can still ride a Wheels electric bike.
To rent a bike, you’ll need a smartphone and a valid ID.
You also need to be 18 years or older to rent an e-bike.
During the rental, you are required to take a photo of your ID during the rental purchase.
How Wheels Electric Bike Rentals Work
If you’re confused about how Wheels electric bike rentals work, we have you covered.
Just follow the below steps to quickly rent a bike.
1. How to Unlock the Bike
To unlock the bike you need to scan the QR code on the electric bike handlebars.
This will charge you the unlock fee and the bike will automatically unlock.
Once unlocked, you’re free to ride around town.
2. How to Ride the Bike
Riding an e-bike is quite similar to riding a traditional bike without having to pedal.
After unlocking the bike, you’ll need to kick up the kickstand and kick down the footpegs.
You can then turn the bike’s power on.
Walk the bike to a safe area, sit down and prepare for your ride.
The accelerator is on the right handlebar and works as a motorcycle.
You twist the handle towards you to start the electric motor.
You have two squeeze-operated brakes on the handlebars.
Your left-hand controls the front brake while the right-hand controls the rear brake.
3. How to Drop Off the Bike
Dropping the bike off is easy as well. You can technically drop the bike off anywhere in public.
Of course, we suggest placing it near a bike rack or in an unobtrusive location.
Please try to avoid blocking paths, driveways, and doorways while dropping off your bike.
You can also find drop off the bike at any Wheels bike rack.
You will also be required to take a photo of the bike’s drop-off point with the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you Buy a Wheels E-Bike?
Unfortunately, Wheels does not currently offer bike sales or rent-to-own bikes.
Are Wheels E-Bikes Safe?
Wheels offer a wide range of safety features that make it one of the safest bike share rental options available.
Daytime running lights, large wheel size, dual disc brakes, anti-tipping sensors, and a low center of gravity form factor gives the Wheels e-bike an excellent safety rating.
Who Picks Up the E-Bike after Rental?
Since you can drop your rental bike off almost anywhere, Wheels has a team that goes around your city and picks up any stray bikes.
Transporters use the Wheels app to locate any dropped bikes and pick them up.
They are paid on a per bike basis to pick up returned rentals and deliver them to a charging station.
Is There Anywhere I can’t ride an E-bike?
Depending on your city, there may be certain areas that are off-limits to riding.
These no-ride zones are designated on your smartphone app.
The app will also show zones that don’t allow ride ends as well.
No-end zones will not let you complete a ride until you return to a regular zone.
Can I Ride in the Rain or Snow?
During any inclement weather, Wheels bikes are taken offline.
This means you will not be able to rent or ride a bike during rain or snowstorms due to safety concerns.
What Form of Payments are Accepted?
You can pay for your bike share with credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards inside the Wheels app.
Wheels also feature the Wheels-for-All program.
This program can help underprivileged clients get access to the transportation they need.
The program offers ride discounts for qualifying riders and cash payment options.
Wheel Electric Bikes Summary
We hope we provided ample information about Wheels and their electric bikes.
Traveling around major cities can be extremely difficult and companies like Wheels are attempting to make it easier.
Their bikes are small, convenient, economical, and eco-friendly.
This makes renting a Wheels electric bike an ideal mode of transportation in large and congested cities.
