After nixing its first electric bike initiative last year  over braking issues, Capital Bikeshare will introduce a fleet of 1,500 electric bikes to the region’s streets this spring.

The new bikes have revamped pedal-assist systems that address the problems from the first fleet, according to DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “[Our vendor] has taken the time to ensure that the new bikes that are introduced into the fleet are safe,” Marootian says. “We are thrilled to welcome e-bikes back. We know that they’re incredibly popular, and that our riders are have been eager for their return.”

Capital Bikeshare originally launched e-bikes as a pilot program in September 2018, but the system removed its small fleet just a few months later after riders reported “stronger than expected breaking force on the front wheel.” With pedal assistance, they could reach speeds up to 18 miles-per-hour, and unlike the normal Capital Bikeshare fleet, the e-bikes were black.

Riders who opt for the new e-bikes will be charged an extra dollar. Meanwhile, the e-bikes can be locked to a regular Capital Bikeshare station at no cost, or to any other bike rack for a $1 fee.

Capital Bikeshare is operated by Lyft, which bought the system’s previous operator, Motivate, in 2018. Lyft will also be updating the Capital Bikeshare app to allow users to unlock a bike using a QR code on their phone, according to DDOT.

The new e-bikes will join two other fleets already on the streets. Uber-owned Jump was the first to bring the electric bikes to the city, and the company now boasts a 2,500-strong-fleet. This past January, the New-York-based micromobility company Helbiz also introduced a fleet of more than 500 e-bikes, with plans to expand to up to 1,500 bikes.

This story has been updated to correct the launch date and fees for the new e-bikes.