CapMetro shut down Austin’s bikeshare system Sunday after a fire damaged bike batteries and charging equipment at a South Austin facility.
The agency said CapMetro Bikeshare became unavailable at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 24, after a fire the day before at its Bikeshare facility at 5315 E. Ben White Blvd.
It was not immediately clear when riders would be able to use the system again.
CapMetro Bikeshare is the city’s public bike-share program, using electric bikes that must be checked out and returned at docking stations. The system is mostly built around short trips in central Austin and connections to bus, rail or other destinations.
CapMetro said a third-party investigation will look into what caused the fire and help determine what repairs or safety steps are needed before service can resume. The agency said it would share additional updates with customers and the community as more information becomes available.
What is CapMetro Bikshare?
CapMetro Bikeshare — rebranded from MetroBike and relaunched in 2024 with an all-electric fleet, new stations and a new app under a nearly $21 million contract — has been racing to build the charging infrastructure its e-bikes require.
As of a May 2025 city presentation, the system had 475 bikes and 73 stations but only one electrified charging station in place, leaving battery swaps as a major ongoing cost.
CapMetro says it plans to install 25 stations with in-dock charging by the end of 2026.