You may have noticed that neon-green e-bikes have recently started popping up all over Pilsen. Whether people are riding them or they’re parked at one of the many stations around the city, they’re definitely hard to miss. Would you like to give it a try but don’t know how it works? No worries — we’ve put together a quick guide to renting an e-bike.
What do you need?
It’s simple — all you need to rent an e-bike is a payment card. However, if you also have the VPK (Virtual Pilsner Card) app and a public transport pass valid for at least one month, you can ride twice a day for 15 minutes for free.
How it works?
Simply download the Virtual Pilsner Card app, which can be set to English or German.
Then create an account and link it to your Pilsen Card (with the valid public transport pass)— either a physical card or an account from the previous app. Go to the eshop of Pilsner Card and add your Pilsner card there.
The next step is to authorize your card — either by phone at 371 655 600 or at a customer service centre. Once your card has been successfully authorized, the option „Bikesharing“ to use your daily free minutes will appear in the app. And off we go, you can pick a bike in one of 150 stations all across the city.
Choose a bike at a docking station, tap your bank card, or open the bike-sharing app and scan the QR code. Wait until the bike lights up red and is ready for use.
On the bike’s display, you can see the battery level and the estimated range. You’ll also find directions to the nearest place where you can park the bike.
How much is it?
If you don’t have a public transport pass or prefer not to use the VPK, you can simply pay by card. Just tap your card on the terminal, wait for the red light, and the bike is yours. The price is CZK 1 per minute, and the total amount will be charged at the end of your ride.
You can rent a bike for a maximum of 3 hours. If you exceed this limit, you will be charged a penalty. You can find the full price list here. Exceeding the maximum rental time costs CZK 500. Leaving the bike outside a designated station costs CZK 700, and taking it outside the bikesharing area costs CZK 1,000. Parking the e-bike in a non-publicly accessible place may result in a fine of up to CZK 2,000.
Things to watch out for
- Paying by card or via app
- Make sure not to go over 3 hours
- Stay within the bikesharing zone
- Always bring the bike back to a designated spot
- Drive carefully and consider wearing a helmet
More information can be found on the official website
Sources: PMDP
Photo Sources: VPK application
