People with Reduced Mobility: Rental Scooters and Bicycles

Several cities such as Grenoble, Lyon, and Strasbourg offer electric bike and scooter rentals tailored for people with reduced mobility.

The development of bike lanes is not only beneficial for cyclists or scooter users. They sometimes provide a clear, obstacle-free path for people with reduced mobility (PRM). However, rental services have overlooked this group. Yet, their offerings are very diverse, including bikes, scooters, and even electric scooters. 

Three bikes in Strasbourg for people with disabilities

Several solutions have emerged in France in recent months. The first is in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), via the Velhop service, which already stood out for its variety of different bikes: electric, cargo, tricycle, tandem, recumbent, children’s, and even folding. The new category was created in partnership with the CADR67 association (Committee for Action on Two-Wheeled Vehicles 67). It offers “Draisin” vehicles for rent, adapted for people with reduced mobility and seniors, along with training in their use.

Among them, there is the Top Loader, a cargo tricycle whose front platform accommodates a wheelchair. The Draisin+ is also a tricycle, but upright, for the rider pedaling, with front seats for disabled people. Lastly, the Twister is a tandem—side-by-side—where it is possible to pedal in a reclined position.

These bikes adapted for PRM in Strasbourg can be rented monthly or weekly. Find out the details and information on the official service site.

Wheelchair-style scooters in Grenoble

In June, Grenoble metropolis (Isère) welcomed new electric scooters and bikes from the operator Dott. But there’s other news for people with reduced mobility. 

Omni is integrating its “Trotter” electric scooters, adapted for wheelchairs. It had already started in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (78), near Paris, with the Tier operator. Rental prices are subsidized by 25%, at €59.25/month for the 30 km range model (instead of €79 via Omni). There is also a 60 km range model, at €103/month (or €77.25 after subsidy).

It continues in the Alpine city. After Dott’s 55% subsidy, people can rent these special scooters in Grenoble for only 35 euros per month (or €46.35/month for Omni Trotter 60). The rental is not as a self-service system like traditional scooters, but via long-term leasing (LLD). It’s even possible to own the device at the end of the lease.

In Lyon, PRM in “Benur” mode

The Lyon metropolis offers, alongside its mobility services, the rental of “Benur” through its Vélo’v operator. This is not a rickshaw but a two-wheeled cargo bike or tricycle, called “handbike.” Its rear ramp platform allows wheelchair users to enter easily.

People with reduced mobility only need to take the handlebars and the “maindalier” — which incorporates the manual pedal system — and set off for their journey. Like any e-bike, they can travel up to 25 km/h, with the battery providing an autonomy of 80 km per charge. The platform is large enough to carry 200 kg of cargo, shopping, and even pets.

Vélo’V offers free rentals, but with a reservation 48 hours in advance, only available for pickup at the LPA des Cordeliers park (Lyon 2nd district). You can rent for half a day, one or two days. Find official information on the Grand Lyon website.

In addition to the Lyon region, adapted Benur bikes are available in other parts of France. You can rent them in Clermont-Ferrand through the SMTC, in Chambéry, in Ain, or in Aix-les-Bains to explore Lake Bourget.

Read also: Red-Will expands its electric bike rental offerings