Nashville has multiple ways to get on two wheels, and the options have expanded significantly since 2024. Here’s what’s actually available and what it costs.
Nashville BCycle (Docked E-Bikes)
BCycle is Nashville’s docked bike-share system, operating electric pedal-assist bikes at stations concentrated downtown and in adjacent neighborhoods. Bikes use a Bosch system with assist up to 17 mph. They’re heavier than a road bike but the electric assist means hills aren’t a problem.
How it works: Find a station via the BCycle app or at nashville.bcycle.com, unlock a bike with the app or at the kiosk, ride, and return to any station. All bikes include a lock so you can stop and explore without leaving the bike unattended.
Rates (check nashville.bcycle.com for current pricing):
- 30 minutes: $5
- Day pass: available via app
- Annual unlimited 60-minute rides: $120
If you go over your included time, you’re charged $1.50 per additional 30 minutes, with a maximum of $45 per day.
Free option: Nashville Public Library cardholders can check out a BCycle fob that provides unlimited 2-hour trips for one full week, at no charge. Place a hold through the library catalog at library.nashville.gov, pick up at any NPL branch, and tap at any station. This is one of the most underused perks in Nashville for visitors staying more than a day.
Station coverage: Roughly 36 stations, mostly downtown, The Gulch, East Nashville near the Shelby Street Bridge, Germantown, and Vanderbilt/Midtown. Coverage thins quickly as you move toward outer neighborhoods.
Note on contract status: BCycle’s city contract lapsed in mid-2025, with Nashville’s NDOT citing lost federal funding and issuing a new procurement. As of late 2025, BCycle was continuing operations while the city ran a new competitive process. Check current station availability at nashville.bcycle.com before planning a trip around the system.
Bird and Lime (Dockless E-Bikes and Scooters)
Bird and Lime both operate in Nashville under permits from the Transportation Licensing Commission. Since May 2024, the TLC requires operators to deploy e-bikes at a 4-to-1 ratio versus scooters, meaning 175 e-bikes per company. Both services now operate county-wide rather than in limited pilot zones.
How they work: Download the Bird or Lime app, locate a nearby bike or scooter on the map, scan the QR code to unlock, ride, and leave it anywhere within the service area (not blocking sidewalks, transit stops, or building entrances).
Rates: Both services charge a base unlock fee plus a per-minute rate. Exact pricing fluctuates but typically runs around $1 to unlock and $0.25 to $0.35 per minute. Check the app for current rates before riding. Surge pricing applies in busy areas.
Nashville Connector discount: The city’s Nashville Connector transit integration program has negotiated discounts on Bird, Lime, and Spin rides. Check nashconnector.org for current promo codes.
The scooter reality: Scooters in Nashville face an uphill battle, literally in some cases. The city’s hills and the prevalence of fast-moving traffic on roads without bike infrastructure means scooters are more comfortable on greenways and quiet neighborhood streets than on main corridors.
Dedicated Bike Rental Shops
For visitors who want a quality pedal bike or want to ride the greenways for a full day without time limits, several shops rent bikes by the day:
Bike the Greenway operates near Shelby Bottoms in East Nashville, offering traditional bike rentals and greenway-specific route advice. They’re particularly well-positioned for the Shelby Bottoms and Stones River greenway systems.
Green Fleet Bikes and Shelby Ave Bicycle Company both rent bikes and can advise on routes. These are full-service shops, not kiosk rentals, so you get actual human guidance on where to ride safely.
Rental rates at shops typically run $30 to $50 per day for a quality hybrid or comfort bike.
Which Option for Which Trip
For a short downtown errand or a quick hop between neighborhoods: BCycle or Bird/Lime.
For the Shelby Bottoms greenway loop (the tourist cycling highlight of Nashville): BCycle works, or rent from Bike the Greenway for a full-day experience without time pressure.
For exploring multiple neighborhoods over multiple days: The library BCycle fob deal is hard to beat if you have a library card or can get a temporary one.
For a non-tourist commuting or fitness ride: A dedicated rental shop gives you a better bike with no time limits.
Sources
- Nashville Public Library BCycle Pass: library.nashville.gov/services/npl-bcycle-pass
- Nashville.gov, Shared Bike and Scooter Program: nashville.gov/departments/transportation/transportation-licensing/shared-bike-and-scooter-program (May 2024 TLC decision)
- Nashville Connector Micromobility: nashconnector.org/micromobility
- Nashville BCycle: nashville.bcycle.com
- Planetizen, “Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract” (May 2025): planetizen.com
- Walk Bike Nashville, “Nashville’s Bikeshare Program Faces an Uncertain Future”: walkbikenashville.org