Bike Sharing in Plzeň – Ride the City on a Shared E-Bike

The Pilsen Bike shared e-bike service, operated by Plzeň Municipal Transport Company (PMDP), runs seasonally from March 1 to November 30. Operations began on March 17, 2026, and by the end of March, 300 yellow e-bikes had been deployed across 156 stations throughout the city – not only in the centre but also in outlying areas, including all public transport terminals. The bikes are equipped with five levels of electric assistance, can achieve a range of up to 100 km, and have a maximum speed limited to 25 km/h for safety reasons. Each bike features a GPS unit, automatic lights, mudguards, a bell, and reflective elements. The assistance level is automatically set to maximum, but users can adjust it via the app. Battery replacement is handled by PMDP staff in the field, who also manage maintenance, repairs, and bike redistribution. The basic rental rate is 1 CZK per minute. Users can activate a pause during their journey for 0.50 CZK per minute; the rental automatically ends if the bike remains stationary without an active pause for more than 15 minutes. The maximum rental duration is 3 hours. Public transport subscribers (PMDP or IDPK) with at least a monthly pass can ride free for 15 minutes twice daily. Bikes can be unlocked by tapping a contactless payment card, mobile phone, or smartwatch (Tap&Ride) directly to the terminal on the bike without prior registration, or via the Virtual Plzeň Card app (by scanning a QR code or selecting the bike on the map). The bike and station must be returned to a designated location – the bike's display navigates to the nearest available station. The service is intended for users aged 15 and over. Helmets are mandatory for those under 18 and recommended for others. The Plzeň model is unique in that the system is operated directly by PMDP rather than a private operator – the first case of its kind in the Czech Republic. The technology platform and e-bikes are supplied by Freebike, and the Tap&Ride payment solution is supported by Mastercard. The contract between the city and PMDP runs until 2029, with total operating costs for the three-year period amounting to 25 million CZK including VAT, Plzeň Region