A few weeks back, we wrote a little something regarding the new iteration of Burque bike share, PACE. A reader commented that tying use of the service to having the Apple or Android app was undesirable. We also noted the lack of monthly/annual subscriptions as unfortunate.
Well, it appears PACE, and it current 13 cities of operation, has listened to these concerns, because a look at its FAQ shows the following pertaining to cash payments:
Yes you can! We offer multiple options for cash payment. You can sign up for cash payments by calling 833-321-PACE or emailing us at support@ridepace.com. Once your access is confirmed you will be able to login at ridepace.com and see a barcode that is linked to your account. This barcode can be scanned at any CVS/pharmacy, 7-Eleven, or Family Dollar location along with a cash payment of your desired amount and the balance will be added to your Pace Wallet within the app. Using your Pace Wallet Credits you will now be able to pay for rides!
Additionally if you have a PayPal account you can use PayPal Cash to add a cash balance to your PayPal account and then pay for Pace using PayPal as your payment method. For more detail instructions please visit here.
No, not as simple as plugging bills and coins into those very tiny slots at the paid parking lot, but, then again, plugging those bills and coins in the slots isn’t always easy.
The FAQ, and an email to ABQ folks for confirmation, also indicates that monthly subscriptions are available for $29/month, with students paying $14.50/month and those with proof of EBT eligibility $5/month. Better Burque has no interest in shilling for PACE, and readers may think the deals/prices above are good, bad, or indifferent, but a case could be made for:
- Attending UNM,
- Living downtown at the new Rainforest (yes, that is a really dumb name), and
- Taking a bike up and down MLK to campus for only $14.50 a month.
- Even better would be for UNM to offer free bike share to Rainforest inhabitants, similar to UNM/CNM’s free bus pass service for students.
- All of which prompts questions like: Why the Hell doesn’t UNM have its own bike share program?
- Why hasn’t it had one for a few years, if not decades by this point?
- And why is it called “Rainforest”?
BB asks these increasing shrill questions as they (i.e., I/me) continue to enjoy the BIXI bike share in Montreal. Here’s a look at my recent rides (I’m up to 54 total in the past three weeks) and how much CO2 emission I’ve been supposedly saving in the process:
It’s true that BIXI now has over 500 stations and almost 7,000 bikes, a tad larger system and one in which users can, in several parts of town, pretty much walk a block or two max to find a station, even without the app. But, of course, BIXI is a “dock system,” and PACE allows stashing parking at any city rack. Speaking of apps, I tried finding out how many PACE bikes are currently on UNM campus, but PACE evidently sees no reason for me to find out, as its app keeps reminding me, irritatingly so, that BB (i.e., me) is in Montreal.
But I’m coming back to town soon, and will most definitely test that PACE bike ride from the unfortunately named Rainforest to Mitchell Hall or wherever on UNM campus. Hit BB up if you want to make it a group ride. Huffing and puffing up MLK on what are probably 45 pound bikes will be good for us.
Better Burque 