Bike sharing: bike rental in Frankfurt

By bike through the city

You surely know this: You have an important appointment or a date at the other end of the city: On the streets all hell is going on again, buses and trams are overcrowded or delayed and it's just too far to walk. Now you should have a bike. But either your own bike is too far away, has a flat tire or is simply non-existent. Luckily there is bike sharing, the modern way of renting a bike. There are bikes all over the city that can be unlocked via the respective app, at a terminal or by phone and used for little money. We present you here some of the bike sharing offers in Frankfurt.

Call a Bike

The classic is this offer from Deutsche Bahn. There are over 13,000 bikes in 50 cities and at some ICE stations - including many in Frankfurt. The large market presence means that there are quite a few stations in the city area where you can find, borrow and return Call-a-Bike bikes. Renting is possible via the app, but also by phone, with a customer card and at some stations also via a terminal. The bikes can be located quite accurately via the website or the app.

There are different tariffs from which the user can choose. Who chooses the basic tariff (3 € per year) pays 1 € for 30 minutes, maximum 15 € for 24 hours. Two bikes can then be rented at the same time via one account. The comfort tariff costs 9 € per month or 49 € per year. Who chooses this tariff, pays for the first 30 minutes nothing, then 1 € for every half hour, maximum 12 € for 24 hours. Only 1 bike can be rented here, but you can still add a partner bike to the rate (7 € per month/29 € per year).

Those who don't use the service regularly can simply choose a day pass. This costs 15 <x>amp</x>euro; for 24 hours and 40 <x>amp</x>euro; for 72 hours.

Advantages: Good availability, different activation options, good locating option of available wheels

Disadvantages: Parking the bikes away from the official Call-a-Bike stations costs 5 <x>ampersand</x>euro;

More info at: https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/en/staedte/frankfurt

Nextbike by TIER

Photo: nextbike by TIER

The bike-sharing provider nextbike has been on the market since 2007. The approximately 300 available bikes can be rented and returned at official stations. These can be located via the website or the app. Renting works via the app, by phone via the hotline or, at some stations, also via the on-board computer. Registration with nextbike is free, only those who register via the hotline have to pay a fee of 3 <x>amp</x>euro;.

Renting the bikes costs 1 <x>amp</x>euro; per 30 minutes or a maximum of 9 <x>amp</x>euro; per day. Those who want to use the service regularly should choose the annual rate of 48 €. Here the first 30 minutes are free, each additional half hour costs then 1 €. Attractive is the offer of nextbike for groups, because on an account can be borrowed at the same time equal to 4 wheels.

Advantages: Free registration, up to 4 wheels can be borrowed simultaneously through an account.

Disadvantages: Pick up and drop off bikes only at official Next Bike stations

More info at: https://www.nextbike.de/de/frankfurt/

More info

Lime

California-based Limebike is the latest entrant in Frankfurt. Since the end of 2017, Limebike has been trying to hold its own against the competition with its rental bikes. In the meantime, Limebike has specialized in the short-term rental of e-bikes and e-scooters. To find a nearby vehicle, all you have to do is download the corresponding app. Then just scan the vehicle's QR code to unlock it.

Advantages: Wheels can be parked in all public places. Good wheels, easy handling.

More info at: https://www.li.me/en/startpage

Generally speaking: Read the guidelines well before first use. The wheels, which must be returned to no fixed stations, should nevertheless always be parked in publicly accessible places. Never in hallways, backyards, parking garages or parks. After locking up the bikes, always check via the respective app whether your ride has really ended. And watch out for the wheels, so that the next users also reach their destination without any problems.