Shared bikes are a natural complement to public transport, offering residents another fast, convenient and environmentally friendly way to get around Pilsen /Plzeň/. The bikes will be distributed across 156 stations throughout the city - not only in the centre, but also in outlying areas, including all public transport termini. Renting a bike is very simple: users can either tap a bank card directly on the bike or use the Virtual Pilsen Card mobile app. “I believe that the system’s simplicity, affordable pricing and integration with public transport subscriptions will help the service quickly find its users and become a standard part of urban mobility,” said Deputy Mayor for Transport and Environment Aleš Tolar.
The City of Pilsen is launching a new shared e-bike service, Pilsen Bike, expanding urban mobility options. Operations will begin on 17 March, and - weather permitting - 300 e-bikes will be deployed across the streets of the West Bohemian metropolis by the end of the month. The bikesharing system will operate seasonally each year from 1 March to 30 November. It will be run by Pilsen /Plzeň/ Municipal Transport Company (PMDP) https://en.pmdp.cz/en/ and co-financed by the Pilsen Region.
https://en.pmdp.cz/bike/
“Pilsen is the natural transport hub of the entire region, with thousands of people commuting here daily from surrounding municipalities. We therefore see shared bikes not just as a city service, but as another link connecting to regional public transport. Our goal is to make the last leg of the journey - from train or bus to work, school or services - easier,” said Deputy Governor of the Pilsen Region for Transport Pavel Čížek.
Bike availability at stations will be accessible via the app or on the website. The bikes are intended for users aged 15 and over and can be rented in two ways: via the contactless Tap&Ride payment system or through the Virtual Pilsen Card app. With Tap&Ride, users simply tap their bank card on the terminal located on the bike; once the rear light turns red, the rental has started. The fee is charged automatically when the ride ends. In the mobile app, users open the Bikesharing tab, scan the QR code on the bike or select a bike on the map, and begin their ride. Availability is also displayed on the website https://en.pmdp.cz/bike/
The rental fee is CZK 1 per minute. Public transport subscribers (PMDP and IDPK) with at least a monthly pass are entitled to two free 15-minute rides per day.
“Shared e-bikes are equipped with five levels of electric assistance and can reach a range of up to 100 kilometres. Our technicians will continuously replace batteries with fully charged ones, ensuring that users always rent a bike with sufficient capacity. The current range with electric assistance is displayed both in the Virtual Pilsen Card app and on the bike’s onboard display. For safety reasons, the maximum speed is limited to 25 km/h. Together, these features make e-bikes a fast, comfortable and reliable means of urban transport,” explained PMDP Technical Director Tomáš Holubář.
Leaflets with key information about the service will be available at PMDP customer centres and the City of Pilsen information centres. Riding shared bicycles is subject to road traffic regulations: cyclists under 18 must wear a helmet, and users must not ride on pavements or cross pedestrian crossings unless they dismount and walk.
The partner of the shared e-bike service in Pilsen is the technology company Mastercard. The Tap&Ride payment function is part of the technological solution provided by Freebike (the e-bike supplier), with Mastercard supporting payment standards, certification and implementation. This enables users to access the service without registration or downloading an app - e-bikes can be unlocked using a contactless card, mobile phone or smartwatch. This model, already proven abroad, brings a simple, secure and instantly usable payment method to the Czech environment.
“Modern technologies only make sense when they genuinely simplify everyday life. The Tap&Ride solution introduces a straightforward concept that removes unnecessary barriers and makes modern services accessible to everyone. It shows that innovation does not have to be complex—what matters is that it is intuitive, secure and immediately usable. I am pleased that Plzeň has joined European cities that apply innovation in practical ways for the benefit of residents and visitors alike,” said Jana Lvová, General Manager of Mastercard for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Before each ride, users must check the technical condition of the bike. The lights are automatic - they switch on at the start of the rental and turn off when it ends. The only adjustments users need to make are the seat height and, if desired, the level of electric assistance via the mobile app (default is set to the highest level). Battery replacement will be carried out in the field by PMDP staff, who will also handle servicing, repairs, maintenance and bike redistribution across the city.
Any damage, accidents or improperly parked bikes can be reported via the app, the PMDP helpline, an online form at www.pmdp.cz/bike, or by email at bike@pmdp.cz.
The contract between the City of Pilsen and PMDP runs until 2029. The city will pay CZK 25 million (including VAT) for the full three-year operation of the system, with the Plzeň Region co-financing the project with CZK 5 million.