Here in Brussels the Cyclocity scheme is relatively new. It has been around in some cities since 2002. It allows the easy hire of bicycles in cities as you simply collect a cycle at one location and drop it off at another within the city centre. The stations are often no more than 300 metres apart and there are 23 of them within the Brussels Pentagone (Inner Ring Road). This gets around the biggest obstacle to bike hire in that your journey does not have to be a round trip returning to the hire shop. They are also available 24 hours per day, every day of the year not just when hire shops are open. The bicycles are all very clean and well maintained.
Prices are very competitive with a year card costing 10€ then each first half hour is 0.5€ and further hours at 0.5€. If you are visitor to the city then a week card is priced at 1.50€ with the first half hour at 0.5€ and each successive hour at 1€. Payment is made via debit / credit cards at payment meters. On the weekly card, the system adds up the total usage and debits one payment at the end of the week. On the yearly card payment is by direct debit on a regular basis.
The scheme is available at the following cities in Europe and I hope it soon spreads further.
Austria – Vienna
Belgium – Brussels
France – Aix en Provence, Amiens, Besançon, Lyon, Marseille, Mulhouse, Nantes, Paris, Rouen
Luxembourg – Luxembourg
Spain – Cordoba, Gijon, Seville
There are similar schemes at Toulouse and Nancy in France.
More details of the Cyclocity can be found here.
What experiences have you had with this type of self service bike hire? If you have not used it would you be tempted?