(Washington, DC) Don’t go with the flow this summer—do the opposite and it could pay off. That’s what Capital Bikeshare will be telling its members soon. The regional bikesharing network is launching a Reverse Rider Rewards competition on June 1 to support the system’s rebalancing and redistribution efforts.

The goal is to enlist the help of Capital Bikeshare annual members to help redistribute bicycles throughout the bikesharing system during the peak hours of 8am-10am, Mondays through Fridays, and provide incentives to do so.

“Like any transportation system, Capital Bikeshare has a rush hour when demand spikes,” said Terry Bellamy, Acting Director of the District Department of Transportation. “Rebalancing crews are constantly moving the bikes around to keep up, but any additional help provided by members could help ensure there’s a bike available when you want it.”

Capital Bikeshare membership has increased dramatically in recent months and is currently up to 13,835 annual members and climbing. In response to member suggestions, the Reverse Rider Rewards program was conceived as a way to supplement the efforts of Alta, the company responsible for servicing bike stations and keeping them balanced with enough bicycles and docking spaces. Rebalancing incentive programs have been used in other bikesharing programs with success, including Vélib in Paris.

Members who elect to participate will earn points for taking bicycles from any of the “typically full” stations to “typically empty” stations. Each trip will earn participants one point, as well as one entry into a raffle. At the end of the contest, the individual with the highest number of points will win a one-year extension of his or her Capital Bikeshare membership, while everyone who makes it into the top ten will receive one-month extensions. Five raffle prize winners will also receive one-month extensions.

Reverse Rider Rewards officially launches on Wednesday, June 1, and will run through Wednesday, August 31. Winners will be posted on the 5th of each month. For complete information about the rules, prizes and eligible stations  visit http://www.godcgo.com/reverse-rider-rewards.aspx .

Questions and comments may be emailed to ReverseRiderRewards@CapitalBikeshare.com.

Capital Bikeshare is the product of a unique public/private partnership between DDOT, Arlington County and Alta Bike Share. The two jurisdictions worked closely with Alta Bicycle Share to develop the program in the fall of 2010, offering regional service with 1,100 bikes and 115 stations. Based on the initial success of the program, both jurisdictions plan to add additional stations and bicycles to the system by the end of the year.For more information about Capital Bikeshare, visit www.capitalbikeshare.com .