Capital Bikeshare announced Monday (June 30) that it will increase prices across all membership tiers starting August 1, marking the first price adjustment since 2021 as the bike-sharing system grapples with unprecedented ridership growth and rising operational expenses.
The price hikes will affect both casual users and committed members, with annual memberships jumping from $95 to $120 and 30-day passes rising from $20 to $25. Day passes will increase from $8 to $10, while electric bike usage fees will climb from 10 cents to 15 cents per minute for members.
Record-Breaking Ridership Drives Changes
The price adjustments come as Capital Bikeshare experiences explosive growth across the Washington metropolitan region, including Alexandria. The system set new monthly records from May to October 2024, including an all-time high of 725,346 trips in October. This incredible growth continued into 2025, with a new single-day ridership record of 35,569 trips during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Sharon Kershbaum, Director of the D.C. Department of Transportation, said in a statement that the price increases are necessary to “support the long-term sustainability of the program” and to provide “essential infrastructure upgrades, expand e-bike availability, and maintain a high level of service.”
Non-Members Hit Hardest
While all users will see increases, non-members face the steepest hikes. Per-minute rates for classic bikes will triple from 5 cents to 15 cents, while electric bike usage will more than double from 15 cents to 35 cents per minute. Non-members will also pay $3 to park e-bikes outside of stations.
The increases dramatically change the cost calculus for occasional users. A 15-minute classic bike ride for a non-member will nearly double from $1.75 to $3.25 (including the $1 unlock fee). More significantly, a 15-minute e-bike ride will jump from $3.25 to $6.25. Meanwhile, members will see their 15-minute e-bike rides increase more modestly from $1.50 to $2.25, with classic bike rides under 45 minutes remaining free.
Corporate and University Programs Affected
The changes also impact specialized membership programs. Corporate members will see their subsidized annual rate increase from $50 to $70, with the same e-bike fee increases as regular members. University members face a smaller immediate impact, with e-bike fees rising to 15 cents per minute on August 1, but their annual membership will jump to $30 starting January 1, 2026.
Low-Income Program Sees Mixed Changes
The bike-share system’s “Capital Bikeshare for All” program for low-income residents presents a complex picture. The $5 annual membership fee remains unchanged, but the program eliminates unlimited 60-minute e-bike rides. Instead, participants will now pay 10 cents per minute for e-bike usage and face a $2 fee for parking outside stations.
However, the program will provide members with a $40 monthly credit to offset these new costs. The credits cover per-minute e-bike rates, classic bike rides longer than 60 minutes, and out-of-station parking charges. Unused credits don’t roll over to the next month.
Alexandria Expands Despite Price Increases
The price increases come as Alexandria continues expanding its bikeshare infrastructure. The city is installing 10 new stations and replacing 22 existing stations that are approaching the end of their useful life in 2025. The expansion will include new docks, platforms, kiosks, and both pedal and e-bikes, all funded through federal grants and developer contributions.
The system currently operates more than 8,000 bikes across 800-plus stations in eight jurisdictions, including Alexandria, which has 71 stations and is in the midst of a major expansion adding the 10 previously mentioned new stations and replacing the 22 previously mentioned existing ones in 2025.
Still Competitive Pricing
Despite the increases, Capital Bikeshare will continue to be one of the least expensive bike-sharing programs in the country. The D.C. and local governments primarily subsidize the program and it costs approximately $17 million per year to operate. Approximately 65 percent of those costs are covered by fares; the city aims to increase this number to above 80 percent.
Capital Bikeshare will host a virtual information session about the pricing changes on July 9. Meeting details are expected to be announced soon here.
The new rates take effect August 1, with university membership changes delayed until January 1, 2026.
