Dockless Bikes, Everywhere!

So, if you don't follow local city government and are noticing turquoise bicycles scattered throughout town in ever growing random places, the change wasn't at the Champaign County level, but at the local level in an agreement between Champaign and Urbana City governments and the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Information on this C-U area phenomenon can be found with additional links (including who to complain to if the things are parked where they shouldn't be) here: http://champaignil.gov/2018/09/19/dockless-bike-share-service-launches-in-champaign-urbana/

Essentially the dockless bikes are unlocked via a mobile app that charges various rate options to use. Once you're done you slide the lock back on in an appropriate area and someone else can use it. The company is required to pick them up if they're not where they're supposed to be and the link above has that contact information.

More on the government evolution towards this agreement, including articles covering Champaign, Urbana and the University of Illinois role in the process at the Cheat Sheet: C-U Local here.