DVB and its partner, the Leipzig-based company nextbike GmbH, are providing a total of 1,000 brand new bicycles for the system. The Smartbikes, branded in the yellow-black design of the MOBIpoints, are constructed with a low entrance, meaning that no bicycle poles prevent the ascent on the bike, and can therefore basically be used by everyone. They are ideal for the short distances in the city. DVB subscription customers can use the bikes for 30 minutes free of charge. For all others, the price is one euro for 15 minutes.
“With the integration of rental bikes into our public transport service,” says DVB Board Member Andreas Hemmersbach “we are offering Dresden citizens an additional option for choosing environmentally friendly means of transport. Whatever the means of transport – bus, train or rental bike – with our DVB-TICKET you can use everything. At the MOBIpoints, there is also the possibility to rent a car-sharing car. In this way, everyone can choose a suitable form of mobility beyond their own car according to their personal needs and actively contribute to climate protection.”
Saxony’s Minister of Transport Martin Dulig says: “If you want to be flexible in the city centre and avoid traffic jams and parking difficulties, DVB offers attractive alternative services. Hopefully, the intelligent combination of transport modes will convince many car drivers to switch to the bicycle. DVB is thus making an important contribution to improving the quality of life in terms of local mobility. We want and need to further strengthen cycling by promoting the provision of a good and safe cycling infrastructure. This is why the Free State of Saxony is supporting the offer with an additional subsidy of 178,000 euros.
Building and Transportation Mayor Raoul Schmidt-Lamontain emphasizes: “In Dresden, MOBI stands for individual mobility that is also good for the city climate. Dresden’s first MOBIpoint on Pirnaischer Platz was opened just two years ago – in September 2018. There are now 18 MOBIpoints, which have become an integral part of the cityscape. More will follow. The MOBIbike is the next building block that makes it easy to be mobile according to your personal needs and preferences. In this way we are promoting mobility without your own car, with public transport as the backbone”.
Leonhard von Harrach, managing director of nextbike GmbH explains: “Dresden was one of the first cities ever to offer our bike sharing. Later we were able to further develop the system as sz-bike with the Sächsische Zeitung, when DVB was already on board as a cooperation partner. Now we are looking forward to taking the bike rental system to a new level under the leadership of the transport companies – as an integral part of public transport”.
Pictures by DVB
New bike sharing system in Dresden
The company nextbike GmbH was commissioned by DVB to set up and operate the MOBIbike. nextbike GmbH is a worldwide bike sharing provider based in Leipzig and was already a cooperation partner of the predecessor sz-bike. With the new MOBIbike, the number of rental bikes in Dresden has increased from 600 to 1,000. They are now available in the city area. Access to the bikes has been simplified and is now possible with the use of the DVB-TICKET.
30 minutes free with the DVB-TICKET
The MOBIbikes can be used by all Dresden citizens and tourists. The price is one euro for every 15 minutes. For ten euros a month there is a flat rate, which allows 30 minutes free riding per rental – even several times a day. DVB subscription customers who subscribe to DVB at the normal rate automatically receive this flat rate as a free bonus. For each additional half hour, DVB subscription customers pay only one euro.
Simply start cycling
If you want to rent a MOBIbike, you have to register once with nextbike. In contrast, DVB subscription customers can use the rental bikes without any additional registration. Simply hold the DVB-TICKET over the reader on the rear fender for a few seconds and the desired MOBIbike is activated. The registration with nextbike is only necessary if the time of 30 free minutes per ride is exceeded or another chargeable service is requested.
MOBIapp now available
Registration or viewing current MOBIbike locations can still be done via the nextbike mobile phone app. In addition, the new DVB multimobile MOBIapp is now available for download. Furthermore, the new MOBIapp offers additional timetable information for public transport connections and suitable tickets for purchase. A credit card or PayPal account can be used for paying. MOBIbikes can still be booked using the well-known nextbike app.
Incentive for low-cost parking
After the ride, the MOBIbikes can be parked free of charge at a so-called return street in the centre of Dresden, which is marked blue in the MOBIapp. To return the bikes, simply close the frame lock. For one euro extra, it is also possible to park the bike in one of the pink flex zones. If you return the MOBIbike directly to one of the 18 MOBIpoints, you will even be rewarded with a ten-minute time credit for the next rental.
Attention to safety and comfort
With the MOBIbike, the focus is on safety and comfort. The new bikes have a sturdy 26-inch frame, roller brakes and regulation lighting with LED lamps. The low step-in height also accommodates older users. The saddle can be adjusted according to body size using a quick-release fastener. The new seven-speed gears provide the right ratio for all terrain profiles. In front of the handlebars is a basket secured by rubber bands. There you always have your bag in view. On the rear mudguard you will find the bike number and the card reader for unlocking.
Extensions planned
In the coming years, the MOBIbike range is to be further expanded. The number of available rental bikes can be increased in two stages up to 2,000. This will be accompanied by the expansion of the “return roads” and flex zones, especially towards the north and east of Dresden. An additional option is the integration of cargo bikes and pedelecs including loading facilities into the MOBIbike range.
EU Project supports MOBI concept (added by MAtchUP office)
MAtchUP supports the new mobility concept of the public transport company DVB. The Horizon 2020 project provides the opportunity to develop innovative solutions to simplify the access and payment of the offers and to enable a seamless “sharing mobility” for public transport, bike sharing, car sharing and electric charging. Therefore a corporate design of the mobility hub was established, which simplifies the identification of its services. In addition, within MAtchUP the integrated access application for booking and billing for all services is being tested. The aim of the project is to analyse user needs and expectations for the mobility hub and to further optimise the intermodal app to attract new users.
Link to the original press release.
Released by DVB
Translation by MAtchUP Dresden office
Cpìopyright featured image by DVB
