Prleški bicikl – Automated Bike Renting System in the area of LAG Prlekija
About this good practice
Public transport in the area of the Municipality of Ljutomer and neighboring areas is poor, particularly connection between settlements. There is lack of taxi providers, residents mostly rely on personal cars.
To promote sustainable mobility, ensure affordability of bike rental for socially disadvantaged groups, improve accessibility between areas, accessibility to cultural and natural attractions, quality of life and employment opportunities project Kolesarska veriga na podeželju (Cycling chain in the countryside) was developed. The project is aimed at introducing and upgrading the collective system of mass mobility in the area of 12 LAGs and 23 municipalities in Slovenia.
Within the project, an automated bicycle rental system "Prleški bicikl" was established in the area of LAG Prlekija - Mun. of Ljutomer and Mun. of Veržej, with the possibility of expansion to the area of entire LAG Prlekija.
Prleški bicikl system enables easy rental of both classic and electric bicycles, which are currently available at 2 stations in Ljutomer, 1 in Veržej and 1 in Banovci.
With the option to rent both types of bicycles, it enables transfer on shorter and longer distances in mostly flat and partially hilly terrain.
Renting is possible with registration to the system: in app MOBILN.SI or in TIC Ljutomer and TIC Veržej. Rental price: 5 EUR/day, 15 EUR/year
Main stakeholders: LAG Prlekija, Mun. of Ljutomer, Mun. Veržej
Main beneficiaries: final users – inhabitants and tourists of the area
Resources needed
The total value of the project Kolesarska veriga na podeželju (for 11 LAGs) was 1,6 million EUR, of which 140.000 EUR for the partnership in the area of LAG Prlekija.
The cost of 4 stops and 20 bicycles was 140,000 EUR.
Annual maintenance cost for Municipality of Ljutomer are 6.500 EUR.
Evidence of success
Success:
Connection of already existing and new collective mobility systems in the area of 23 municipalities
The affordability of bicycle rental.
Challenge:
To increase the use of bicycle rentals.
From April – November 2023, all together 107 bicycles were rented. Comparison with previous year is not possible since system began to operate in second half of 2022.
Although no survey about satisfaction of users was conducted, users verbally reported that they were satisfied with the service.
Potential for learning or transfer
The network Prleški bicikl could be easily expanded with adding additional stops and bicycles and thus additionally improve connectivity between areas.
User can rent a bicycle (after the registration) at one of 4 stations of Prleški bicikl and return it to any other station within the national network of stations that were part of the common project.
The introduced practice is easily transferable (having in mind that necessary financial resources need to be provided) to other regions or other areas where public transport does not meet the needs and where it is necessary to ensure connectivity between settlements. It provides users with an affordable form of sustainable transportation. However, it is necessary to consider the usability of the service (the readiness of potential users to use this type of transport, seasonality of the service – cycling is not popular in winter times ...).
Further information
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Good practice owner
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