Brest: Successful Free Bicycle Program Returns in 2023

Following the experimentation demonstrating the popularity of free-floating electric bikes, Brest will launch a new Vélozef offer in March 2023.

Initially, it was supposed to be a simple experiment. But COVID-19, which shifted some travelers toward individual solutions and fueled the rise of cycling, turned out to be a total success.

A Rental Experiment That’s Coming to an End

In June 2021, Vélozef became the official service of the Brest network Bibus. Its distinct bright orange electric bikes available for rent are quite recognizable in the metropolis, provided by the Danish company Donkey Republic.

According to city data, 10,000 people used the service. Not bad for a city of nearly 140,000 residents. In total, 111,400 trips were made, including 31,800 this summer 2022. Proof that cycling is a solution for short city trips, with 57% of these trips between 1 and 4 km. 

However, this will not last. Yes, the free-floating bike service was not yet established in Brest, where it was tested for 18 months. No one will be able to take the handlebars after December 31, 2022. But it’s only a farewell.

The Free-Floating Bike Will Return in March 2023 in Brest

A new service will replace the current one, starting in March 2023, under the same name Vélozef. It is not the Copenhagen-based company, but the French company Fifteen that will take over. A total of 185 bikes (compared to 90) will be deployed across 29 stations in the Brest metropolitan area. The novelty is that bikes will not be parked in the traditional manner with double locks at virtual points (visible on the app), but at fixed Vélozef stations, which will also charge the batteries.

However, the new tariffs for this 2023 service are not yet known. Currently, Vélozef charges as follows:

• 15 min : €0.80
• 30 min : €1.60
• 1 hour : €3.50
• 2 hours : €7
• 4 hours : €10
• 6 hours : €12
• 12 hours : €20
• 1 day : €30

Also read: Blois: up to 250 electric scooters available for free floating