We rented bikes to explore Mexico City's down town area which had certain streets shut down for bikers, runners and pedestrians on Sunday morning. The bikes and numerous stations are very convenient. Your first 5 minutes are free. The challenge is their registration system: Not all Bici rental stations have a registration center. You must go to one with a triangular command center---on one side you'll complete the registration and on the other side you'll enter two numbers to retrieve your bike.
First have patience: it took us about 10 minutes to complete registration for each bike. When we got our first bike we had a couple waiting behind us and another couple telling us of their failed attempt and finally a third person asking us if we needed help. The system is very slow! The touch screen goes dark for several seconds in between each confirmation of information.
Once your credit card is accepted the most important information you will need to obtain is the 6 digit access number and the 4 digit PIN number which you will be asked to create. Many people either obtain their 6 digit access number and forget to create a 4 digit PIN or they miss the screen entirely. If this happens your only resort is to call and good luck with that! However, once you have completed your registration and have the two numbers, you will enter them on the key pad on the other side of the triangular command center to retrieve your bike.
The bike don't have a water bottle holder. And you'll have to adjust the seat to your height, but then it's off you go. There is also no lock provided so I suggest if you get somewhere try to find the nearest Biki station to drop off the bike so you can explore on foot the places you can't bring your bike with you and also you won't be charged for this time.
Let me know if this was helpful! And hope you enjoyed your EcoBici in Mexico City! read more