Bike transformation in Poland: how is the country reinventing urban mobility in its cities?

In Poland, bike-sharing systems are experiencing unprecedented growth, transforming urban mobility practices. These systems, present in major metropolises such as Warsaw and in inter-municipal areas such as the Silesian Metropolis, are part of a global drive towards sustainable modes of transport. Driven by technological advances and growing ecological awareness, these solutions meet today's challenges of CO₂ emission reduction and urban decongestion. The integration of smart technologies, the support of local and European authorities, as well as adaptation to local specificities, make bike sharing systems a key vector for a greener future in Poland. 

To what extent are bike share systems in Poland managing to reconcile technological challenges, local adaptations and ecological objectives, while stimulating their expansion in a country with diverse urban realities? 

An analysis of this question will provide a better understanding of their impact and potential in the transition to sustainable mobility. 

A major technological evolution for bike-sharing systems

Veturilo, Warsaw's bike-sharing system, has become a model of shared mobility in Poland thanks to a combination of technological innovation and extended accessibility. Since its launch in 2012, it has adapted to the growing need for sustainable mobility in the Polish capital, while incorporating cutting-edge technologies to simplify and enhance the user experience.

The Veturilo system recently received a major upgrade, marking a new era for bike-sharing in Warsaw. For the 2023 season, the network has been equipped with new, lighter bikes, improving maneuverability and comfort for users. The rental method has also been simplified: users can now access the bikes without having to manipulate an electric lock, thanks to an intuitive mobile app. These improvements have boosted the popularity of the service, with 4.9 million rentals recorded in 2023, a million more than the previous year, a figure that rivals the records set before the pandemic and before the emergence of shared electric scooters. By comparison, in 2018, a record year for Veturilo, the service recorded 6.4 million rentals.

This increase is accompanied by significant growth in the number of users. Between March and October 2023, 195,000 new users registered for the service, confirming Warsaw's growing interest in this sustainable mode of transport. At the same time, the bikes were inspected and repaired during the winter break, ensuring that the fleet was in perfect condition for the new season. The availability of the service, extended from March 1 to the end of November, ensures almost annual coverage, essential in a context of high demand.

Credits: veturilo.waw.pl

 In terms of infrastructure, 332 stations are now equipped with modernized information totems and racks without electronic devices. These improvements are offset by the integration of GPS and automatic anti-theft devices directly into the bikes themselves, making it possible to return bikes outside designated stations, although this option is subject to additional charges. This increased flexibility meets the needs of users, while maintaining a degree of control over bike redistribution.

However, this flexibility of the Veturilo system requires optimized rebalancing to guarantee the availability of bikes and avoid their accumulation in certain areas. This maintains the system's efficiency and ensures a quality service adapted to users' needs and the constraints of urban areas.

With a current fleet of 3,330 bikes, including 300 electrics and 30 tandems, Veturilo continues to stand out as a reliable and convenient alternative to traditional modes of transport. These technological innovations, combined with proactive management and strategic expansion, position Veturilo as a key player in sustainable mobility in Warsaw, playing a crucial role in reducing CO₂ emissions and improving urban quality of life.

Expansion of bike sharing systems in Polish cities

Beyond Warsaw, bike-sharing systems are being successfully deployed in many Polish cities, adapting their services to local conditions to meet the varied needs of local residents. Whether adapting mobility solutions to local realities or helping to improve quality of life by reducing pollution and urban congestion, these systems represent a flexible and effective response to local challenges. 

In Gdańsk, the RowerMevo system, managed by Inurba Mobility, recognized as one of the most modern operators in Europe, is a perfect illustration of this ability to adapt.

It comprises 3,099 e-bikes and 100 traditional bikes, distributed over 742 stations. MEVO is available in 16 metropolitan municipalities, including Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot, Tczew, Kolbudy, Pruszcz Gdański, Sierakowice, Stężyca, Somonino, Kartuzy, Żukowo, Reda, Rumia, Puck, Władysławowo and Kosakowo. This broad location facilitates access to the service for a large number of residents and visitors. MEVO's e-bikes, feature a range of 100 km per full charge, a speedometer, a smartphone holder with induction charger and tubeless tires. Their automatic gearing system simplifies driving and reduces the risk of control failure.

Credits: metropoliagdansk.pl

Since its launch on November 16, 2023, MEVO has recorded over 1 million rentals, with a total of 4 million kilometers covered by users. These statistics testify to the popularity and effectiveness of the service with local residents.

In smaller towns like Pruszków, bike-sharing systems are strategically deployed to meet local needs. The Pruszkowski Rower Miejski, a seasonal service generally operating from May 1 to September 30, offers a convenient and environmentally-friendly alternative to car journeys, particularly suited to short trips. In the 2024 season, which ended on September 30, the system recorded impressive results: Pruszków residents made over 14,000 rentals, an increase of 4,000 on the previous year.

The service is based on a fleet of 93 fourth-generation bikes at 15 stations, including two new ones on Pogodna and Sadowa streets. The average time taken to use a bike is 11.6 minutes, with greater use between 4pm and 7pm, and Sunday being the most popular day. This performance reflects residents' commitment to more sustainable mobility and the system's effectiveness in meeting residents' daily travel needs.

The expansion of bike sharing in Poland is also stimulated by inter-municipal collaboration and favorable local policies. 

The perfect example of this collaboration is Metrorower. 

Nextbike, Europe's leading bike-sharing company, consolidated its presence in Poland with the launch on February 25, 2024 of Metrorower, now the largest bike-sharing system in the country and the third largest in Europe. Accustomed to managing the largest shared bike networks in Poland, the company had already confirmed its expertise by winning, less than two years earlier, the tender to manage the Veturilo system in Warsaw for the period 2023-2028. At the time, Veturilo was not only the largest network in the country, but also one of the largest in Europe.

Credits: regiony.rp.pl

Metrorower offers residents of the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (GZM) a fleet of 7,000 bikes at 924 stations covering 31 municipalities. This extensive network enables seamless mobility between the region's various municipalities. 

The fourth-generation bikes are equipped with GPS systems, making them easy to locate and use via a dedicated mobile application. This technology enables users to find and unlock the bikes easily, enhancing the user experience. Metrorower integrates seamlessly into the GZM's public transport system, with medium- and long-term ticket holders enjoying 60 minutes' free daily use of the service, encouraging the adoption of cycling for commuting.

Since its launch, Metrorower has recorded growing usage, with over 433,000 journeys made and 1.68 million kilometers covered by users. These figures testify to residents' enthusiasm for this environmentally-friendly and convenient mode of transport, helping to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve air quality in the region.

These initiatives, whether deployed in metropolises like Gdańsk or more modest localities like Pruszków, share a common goal: to transform urban mobility while promoting a sustainable approach that is accessible to all. By integrating solutions tailored to local realities, these bike-sharing systems do more than just meet practical needs. They also help to redefine urban space, reducing dependence on cars and promoting active, eco-responsible journeys. Thanks to their flexibility, these services fill gaps in public transport networks while democratizing access to an economical and environmentally-friendly mode of travel.

Legal obligation: a driving force behind ecological transformation

Legal requirements to reduce CO₂ emissions, imposed at both national and European level, have accelerated a major ecological transition in Poland. The country is now working to achieve the ambitious target set by the European Union: a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. Bike-sharing systems fit seamlessly into policies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of urban transport. By encouraging the use of bikes for daily commuting, these initiatives help to reduce dependence on motorized vehicles, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Credit: planbe.eco

Financial support plays a crucial role in the expansion of bike sharing systems. The NextGenerationEU plan, the European Union's temporary economic recovery instrument, allocates substantial funds to promote green and digital projects. Poland is benefiting from this initiative, with a total envelope of €35.4 billion (€23.9 billion in grants and €11.5 billion in loans) to support its post-pandemic economic recovery, as well as investments of over €7.5 billion in green and intelligent mobility. 

At the local level, subsidies and financial aid are also mobilized to support the development of cycling infrastructure and bike sharing systems. For example, the Metrorower system, launched in February 2024, has received funding to deploy a fleet of bikes covering 31 municipalities in the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (GZM).

This financial support, combined with legal obligations to reduce CO₂ emissions, is stimulating the creation and expansion of bike sharing systems in Poland. They promote more sustainable urban mobility, aligned with national and European climate objectives, while improving citizens quality of life.

In conclusion, Poland's bike-sharing systems have seen a remarkable expansion, reflecting a national trend towards more sustainable mobility. According to the data, the number of public bikes in the country increased by almost 29% in one year, from 21,000 in 2023 to almost 28,000 in 2024. This growth testifies to the commitment of local authorities and citizens to adopting environmentally-friendly modes of transport. Initiatives such as Metrorower in Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia and RowerMevo in Gdańsk illustrate how bike sharing can be effectively integrated into urban infrastructure, meeting the specific needs of communities while helping to reduce CO₂ emissions. Supported by European funding and favorable local policies, these initiatives enhance the attractiveness of Polish cities by promoting active mobility and reducing inequalities in access to economical, sustainable means of transport.

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