Public-private partnerships can increase cyclist modal shares with no additional costs for cities.

The introduction of a bike sharing scheme in Sopot, Poland, is a shining example of how it is possible to increase cyclist modal share with no additional cost for the city, thanks to partnerships with the private sector.

Laying on the shores of the Baltic Sea, Sopot, has a reputation for being a health resort and is one of the top destinations in Poland for wellness seekers. “It seemed obvious we had to give city dwellers and visitors a fitness-related transport option”, says Deputy Mayor Bartosz Piotrusiewicz.

As there’s always a budget to be savvy of, the introduction of the bike scheme was more likely to be approved by the City Council if it came at no cost. Hence, the idea to open it to private enterprises.

City authorities published a call for tender to potential bike sharing operators, and the Leipzig-based company Nextbike won the bid.

The details related to the scheme's operation were smoothed out in a matter of weeks, and in early September 80 brand new bikes appeared in 8 docking stations throughout Sopot for a two-year pilot experiment. It was the beginning of Rower Trojmiejski, (Tricity Bike), named after the Baltic urban conglomeration Sopot forms together with Gdansk and Gdynia.

“The Pearl of the Baltic” became only the second European town with population less than 50,000 to implement a bike sharing programme.

Nextbike will retain all revenues from the service as well as exploit advertisement rights on bikes and racks.

Residents and students can enjoy half-price fares and 20 minutes of free ride, so to preserve the public nature of the service.

“Next year we’ll raise the bar and have at least 140 bicycles with the Sopot logo dotting city landscape”, adds Piotrusiewicz.

"It’s Sopot first step into urban cycling as well as the first case of this kind of partnership in the country" says Rafał Ejsmont, cycling officer in Sopot. “And we won’t stop here”.

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