Riverton launches a bike-sharing pilot

What the pilot includes

The city of Riverton will start a bike-sharing pilot on 1 March. The pilot will utilize 240 bicycles at 18 stations, and it will run for approximately 12 months. Mayor Elena Brandt said the goal is to make short trips easier and to reduce car traffic in the old town. Subsequently, the council will decide whether to keep the service.

Riders can unlock a bike with a phone app or with a city card. The first 30 minutes of every ride cost 1.50 euros, and each additional 30 minutes cost 2 euros. Riders do not need to create an account for their first ride, but they cannot use the bikes without a valid payment method.

How to take part

Joining is a piece of cake if you follow these steps. First, download the Riverton Bikes app. Second, choose a station on the map. Third, scan the code on the bike. Finally, return the bike to any station and lock it.

Concerns from residents

Not everyone is happy about the plan. Some shop owners fear that stations will take away parking spaces. The city says that no more than 40 parking spaces will be removed in total. Council member Jonas Weber called the first month a chance to break the ice with skeptical residents.

Regarding safety, the city will not require helmets, but it recommends them. A safety group warned that the pilot is only the tip of the iceberg, because the old town still has few protected bike lanes. The city plans to add 6 kilometres of new lanes by December if funding allows.

What happens next

The city will publish usage numbers every 3 months. If at least 60 percent of surveyed users are satisfied, the council will consider expanding to 400 bicycles. If fewer than half of the surveyed users are satisfied, the service will end after the pilot.