Prague to double free bikeshare rides for transport pass holders

Prague residents using the PID Lítačka transport app will soon be able to unlock shared bicycles up to four times a day, following the city council’s approval of a new public tender to upgrade the popular mobility service.

The CZK 50 million procurement plan will fund the service for roughly two years, with the expanded benefit due to take effect in 2027.

The new framework will double the current daily limit of two free 15-minute rides to four, though total usage will be capped at ten rides per week.

To qualify, users must be between 18 and 65 years old and hold a valid long-term Prague public transit pass of at least one month.

“Shared bikes have become an integral part of Prague’s transport and a great addition to public transit, which is confirmed by over three and a half million rides,” Deputy Mayor for Transport Jaromír Beránek stated.

“From 2027, Prague residents will be able to rent shared bikes up to four times a day. Our goal is to set clearer rules for operators, better moderate the use of public space, and streamline the financing of the entire service.”

Since its launch in 2022, the Lítačka bikesharing program has logged over 3.6 million rides and added roughly 100,000 users.

The new contract will also link subsidies to the type of area where a ride starts or ends, with higher support available in less densely served parts of Prague.

The expansion comes as Prague tries to address complaints about shared bikes obstructing public space. The city has introduced rules defining where shared bikes can be parked and requiring operators to prevent them from blocking pedestrians or other users.

The issue is not new: Prague has previously acknowledged that existing rules were insufficient and introduced designated no-parking areas and other measures to improve how shared bikes are managed in public spaces. 

The city expects to partner with up to three different operators to ensure market competition and broad availability.

Operators will receive half the standard support in the city center, the standard rate in middle and mixed areas, and double in less densely populated outer areas.

Bidders will be evaluated strictly on the lowest offered price for a 15-minute ride. Second- and third-place providers will be contracted if their bids fall within 25 percent of the winning offer.

To address long-standing complaints about cluttered sidewalks, all selected operators must comply with a recent city decree regarding public space usage.

The city acknowledges that the expanded program will bring financial costs and continued pressure on public space.

It says spending will be monitored against actual use, while the impact of shared bikes on public space will be addressed through agreements with the Technical Administration of Communications.