Heartland B Cycle

Great way to enjoy the downtown Omaha parks. The kiosk is not super easy tech but doable. Adds to a fun outing!

Say you're downtown and you want to go to Blackstone and it's not twenty below zero. You could get an Uber and pay about $8 before tip if it's not surging, wait ten minutes for it to arrive and be there in about twenty minutes. You could take ORBT but that puts you on the wrong side of Dodge and at least two blocks from all the bars and restaurants. You'll be there in about ten to 25 minutes. You could rent a scooter and pay about the same. You'll get there in about the same time, but you'll feel like you've been breaking up concrete all day by the time you get there. The fourth option is riding a Heartland Ebike. You pay $20 per MONTH for a pass, which gives you UNLIMITED one hour rides. That's an insane deal IMO. The bikes are well maintained and easy to ride. They fly right up the long hill so you'll arrive feeling refreshed, not worn out and sweaty like if you rode a regular bike. You can take the bikeway most of the way so you won't have to worry about getting run over, and you don't have to worry about someone stealing it, there's a dock right in Blackstone. The best part is you'll get there in less time than any of the other methods, and you'll have fun getting there. Just download the BCycle app and buy a pass so you're ready to unlock a bike when you decide to make your first trip. I took one ride was totally sold, those bikes are a blast.

Heartland B-cycle is a program of Live Well Omaha. It is similar to what we have n San Diego, which is Decobikes. Basically, both are bike sharing systems and Omaha has 31 stations and 152 bikes throughout the city and across the Missouri River in Council Bluff, IowaThe bikes feature lights, a built-in bike lock, and a handlebar basket to carry riders' belongings.I was a little bit worried when I was dropped off near one of the bike racks near Heartland Park. Since I am so tall, I was wondering how adjustable these bikes really are. No worries--the seats easily slide up or down and lock into place. With a little bit of adjusting, I was all set to go.According to the website, "Heartland B-cycle is the first large-scale municipal bike sharing system in the Omaha metro area. Heartland B-cycle members will be able to pick up one of the blue bikes at any B-station and drop it off at any B-station."A lot of communities will talk the talk about getting cars off the street and fighting traffic congestion but Heartland B-cycles really does something about it. There are memberships you can join if you live there and the website makes it easy to buy gift cards and certificates for that special bike-rider in your life. This service is especially great since the Old Market area does not have a lot of parking. You can grab a bike & save yourself the trouble of hassling with a car and a meter.Don't worry about looking grubby riding these bikes because they come with fenders, skirt guards and chain-guards to keep your clothes clean. Automatic lights help keep you safe and there are 3 speeds, which is really all you need for cruising around Omaha's gentle grades. I had to deduct 1 YELP STAR from Heartland B-cycle since I know most people have their Smartphones they use to pay for stuff like this. But I had a actual credit card which I inserted into the machine. I made sure to bring the bike back within the hour as all I was looking to do is ride across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which meant the charge was $6. ($1 off this amount if you look for their ad in one of those Visit Omaha books.) Over an hour, then you pay an additional $4 per hour. I put the bike back into the holder and it locked into place. But no receipt? Since I had some thief get a hold of my info when I was in Seattle in February, I am keeping careful track of what is going on so I don't get ripped off again. Not paranoid--just careful.When I got home, I went on the Heartland website and left a message for a receipt. I was emailed one that day and everything is fine. But I do think they should offer an option--like they do at the gas stations--of whether you need or want a printed receipt. Otherwise, I am a fan!

Got a text saying I still had an e bike out. Called immediately and I was so lucky to talk with Deborah. She immediately found the issue and took care of for me. Amazing customer support. Love the bikes too. Thank you Deborah. Made the experience so much better. Thank you again!!!!

I did not have a great experience. My bike died after only an hour cutting short me and my friends entire ride. Then as I went to return it it didn't click in for make a sound of acknowledgment. I left it in the hopes of getting a confirmation by text anyway, but instead after an two hours I got a message saying usage is accruing. I called the number provided and they that answered wasn't helpful and was rude to me in the end. Then day two of my experience i got a text message saying i was charged an extra $50, not for what or anyhting. I called to find out what happened and they just offered to refund the amount without telling me why. I wouldn't recommend this company.

This "service" is the absolute worst. I rented a bike in Aksarben on Friday night and we rode to Dundee. I parked the bike in the 50th and Underwood port within the hour. It did not register the three beeps. My friend and I tried to pull the bike out of the port to insert again and the bike wouldn't budge. I called Customer Service. They said that someone from the main office would call me. They never did. I figured the issue was resolved. They sent me a customer service survey text yesterday. Then, tonight, I got a text saying that my credit card has been charged $40.00. Shocked, I called customer service again, and they said they couldn't do anything because the office was closed. I asked them for the office location here in town, along with their hours, and will have to visit them in the morning to resolve this issue. Never again.