How to use a bike rental in Moscow: useful instructions

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Cycling is becoming more and more popular every year. And this trend has become characteristic of Russia. In particular, Moscow can rightly be considered one of the world's demonstrative cycling capitals. This status was given to it by the citywide Velobike rental system, simple, convenient and modern. If you want to learn more about how to use a bike rental in Moscow, then we will be happy to share everything we know with you.

Register

First of all, you need to register in the Velobike system. You can do this in one of three ways:

1. In the terminal of one of the numerous (today there are more than 380 in the capital!) rental stations.
2. On the official website of Velobike.
3. On the free mobile app available for iOS and Android platforms.

To register, you need a bank card and a mobile phone. Her process is simple:

1. Enter your first and last name.
2. Enter phone number.
3. Enter your email address.

The system will generate your individual login andpassword. The information will be sent via SMS to your mobile. Remember or save it - before using a bike rental in Moscow, you need to enter this data. Let's move on.

How does Velobike bike rental work in Moscow?

To set off, you need to do the following:

1. In the terminal, on the website or in the application, select the period of access to the rental - a day, a month or a whole season.
2. Pay for the service (only with a bank card).
3. Go to the rental station, choose the bike you like. Make sure it works.
4. Activate the electronic scoreboard on it with the power button on the right side of the screen.
5. Enter your username and pin code. Wait on the screen for a message about the start of the rental and about unlocking the electronic lock.
6. Roll the bike out of the rack. A message will be sent to your mobile about the start of the rental. You can hit the road!

Cycling

We continue to analyze how to use a bike rental in Moscow. Here's what to look out for along the way:

1. About 380 stations are located throughout the city. A map of their location, the number of free racks and bicycles can be found online on the Velobike website or in the mobile application.
2. Trips up to half an hour are included in the cost of access to the rental. For a longer rental, you will have to pay extra according to the tariff - the required amount is debited from your bank card without your additionalaction.
3. Only one bike can be taken per login.
4. If the user does not return the device within 2 days, then a fine of 30 thousand rubles will be charged from his bank card.
5. If you want to stop for a short time, then the bike can be attached with a built-in cable to the fence, rack.
6. Long stop planned? Leave your bike at the nearest station and pick up another one as soon as you are free. This way you won't be charged for the time you don't ride.

Service cost

New tariffs are set for each bike-sharing season in Moscow. Consider current for the past (2017):

• Access for a day: 150 rubles.
• Access for a week: 400 rubles.
• Access for a month: 600 rubles.
• Access for the whole season: 1200 rubles.
• Trip less than half an hour: included in access price.
• Travel hour: 30 rubles extra.
• 2 hour trip: RUB 90 extra.
• 3 hour trip: 400 RUB extra.
• 24 hour trip: RUB 1500 extra.

How to use bike rental in Moscow profitably? Based on the tariff scale, we see that it is most economical to take a bike for 1, 2 hours, then return it to the parking lot and take a new one.

Return

If you want to end your bike ride, do the following:

1. Find the nearest station, roll the bike into a free rack.
2. Wait forhis electronic scoreboard inscriptions "Return".
3. Leave the station only after you receive an SMS on your phone with information about the end of the rental, its total time and the amount that will be deducted from your card.

FAQ

Let's analyze frequently asked questions about how Moscow bike rental works:

• What cards are accepted for payment? So far, only "Visa" and "Master Card". Cash, "Troika" will not be able to pay.
• What should I do if the payment failed? Check if there is a sufficient amount on your account, if you entered the correct code from the SMS that was sent by your bank. If there are no problems with all this, then it is best to contact bank technical support.
• Is a deposit required? No, he is not needed. However, there is one "but" - if you do not return the bike within 2 days, 30,000 rubles are automatically debited from your card.
• Can I pay for access through a mobile application? Yes, and this is the fastest and easiest way. You need to enter in the special fields the bank card details and the code sent in the message by the bank.
• How many times can I borrow a bike during paid access? As many as the user wants.
• Why is only 30 minutes included in the price of access? "Velobike" was conceived primarily as a new type of urban transport, convenient in overcoming short distances - between stops, metro stations.
• The bike was broken. What to do? Return it to the rack again, wait for the return message. Call Velobike's technical support number and tell the operator about the problem.
• If a user has an accident on a bike or the device is stolen, what should I do? In this case, you should call the police, as well as the Velobike support phone.
• Where can I get electric bikes? So far, only at 6 stations (marked on the maps in the application and on the website). You need to return them there, as the devices are recharged there. The rental price is the same as for a regular bike. Before you take the device, you need to pay attention to the level of its charge (green - the most complete). If it is discharged on the way, then it will be possible to use it only as a regular "great".

It is convenient to follow the schedule of Velobike bike rental in Moscow in the application and on the website. Have a good trip!