The implementation of low emission zones (ZBE) in cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants has in some cases changed the mobility habits of residents in these municipalities and their surroundings. Not being able to access certain areas with highly polluting vehicles has led to a re-evaluation of transport options and has encouraged the adoption of more sustainable alternatives, including the use of bike sharing.
The most populated cities, which are precisely those that are required to establish a ZBE to preserve air quality, are reinforcing the use of bicycles as a means of transportation. The expansion of the bike lane network is closely related in many cases to the public bicycle rental service offered by the majority of city councils in the affected cities to promote emission-free mobility.
Added to this offer are the different private operators that provide their services in the main Spanish cities to complete a sustainable mobility network. In some cases, these companies also provide shared motorcycle and scooter services. But, in general, the rates offered by both municipalities and private companies are high.
This is the conclusion reached by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) after comparing the rates for shared mobility services in 23 provincial capitals. The OCU study also includes the prices for renting scooters and motorcycles in the cities that offer them.
To carry out the study, the OCU points out that it has taken into account the public services provided by city councils and also the private services offered by companies, calculating prices based on the type of user: punctual (1 day), tourist ( 3 days) and frequent (5 days a week).
The report highlights that city councils do not follow a common strategy when setting the price of the bike sharing service. While there are cities that openly support the bicycle as another common means of transport, coexisting with cars and other public transport, in other cases it is the other way around. The rates for rental services do not compensate for those who want to use them daily.
To begin with, in Malaga and Oviedo there is no municipal bicycle rental service for residents or visitors who want to get around the city by bike, the OCU denounces. The only option is a private service, which costs 2,000 euros per year for those who use their bicycle frequently. Likewise, he points out that prices in four other capitals are not exactly affordable.
The annual cost for frequent use far exceeds 200 euros: 275 euros per year in Madrid with Bicimad; 271 euros in San Sebastián with DBizi; 265 euros in Valladolid with Biki; and 232 euros in Barcelona with Bicing.
On the other hand, at the opposite pole, other cities offer a municipal bicycle sharing service at a very competitive price. Bilbaobici electric bikes in the capital of Biscay cost just 20 euros per year, that is, up to 13 times less than in Madrid or its neighbor San Sebastián, highlights the consumer organization. In León, Burgos and Santander the annual price is below 20 euros, although in those cases they are bicycles without a motor.
As for other low-polluting means of transport, such as scooters and electric motorcycles, the offer is usually private. They are generally not intended for frequent use and this translates into high prices. Renting a scooter for every day of the year would cost about 800 euros; a motorcycle, for 1,400 euros.
The use of the shared motorcycle and scooter is only valid for occasional rentals, although it is advisable to compare rates due to the differences that we can find within the same city. The OCU confirms that the rental of an electric scooter in Madrid varies between €3.49/day with Dott and €16.50/day with Lime.