Bike sharing

PubliBike

EPFL and UNIL students and staff can register to benefit from a “Campus” semester subscription at a preferential rate (CHF 20.– / 5 months). The first 60 minutes of each trip (bike or e-bike) are included in the subscription, after which the per-minute rate applies : bike CHF 0.05.- and e-bike: CHF 0.10.-.

PubliBike-Velospot

The conditions of the PubliBike-Velospot subscription are different.

→ More information

A total of 11 PubliBike stations are available on the UNIL-EPFL campus. PubliBike-Velospot is also present on the EPFL campuses in Fribourg and Sion.

The PubliBike subscription gives access to all other PubliBike networks in Switzerland. → See map.

To access the bike sharing services of the PubliBike-Velospot network, you need to link your PubliBike account to the new PubliBike-Velospot offer → See below or here.

• Get an EPFL subscription (see above) and check bike availability using the PubliBike app.
• Press the button behind the saddle to unlock the bike. Hold your smartphone or CAMIPRO card up to the lock. It will open automatically.

With an EPFL subscription, you have 60 minutes included for each use of the muscle bikes and the e-bikes for free of charge. Once you reach the 60 minutes, the rate is CHF 0.05.- (bike) and CHF 0.10.- (e-bike) per minute respectively. Up to 5 bikes can be borrowed simultaneously; from the second bike onwards, the B-Quick fare applies.

Simply bring the bike to a station and close the lock. The journey ends automatically.

By downloading the new PubliBike-Velospot application, you can link your PubliBike account to the new PubliBike-Velospot offer. To do so, please press/click on the “Free PubliBike Velospot upgrade” button (see Instructions for Publibike Velospot account upgrade ENG (PDF)) or the “Link accounts” button (see Instruction to connect Velospot account (only in German, PDF)) in your PubliBike account (via the app or the website).

The EPFL campus counts 6 electric cargobikes and 2 muscle cargobikes equipped with smart locks controlled by a smartphone application → Map of cargobike locations

• Install the Donkey Republic iOS or Android Under the “Profile” tab, create your account using your EPFL e-mail address.
• The first 12 hours of use are free, after which a supplement of CHF 10 per day will be charged.
• Maximum load: 100 kg. It is strictly forbidden to transport people.

• Near the bike, click on your reservation and then on “Unlock”. The lock will open automatically after 5 seconds. The location service and your Bluetooth connection must be activated.
• Lower the lock lever when you take a break, then click on “Unlock” in the application when you’re ready to set off again.

Before your loan time runs out, simply return your cargo bike to its location and plug it into the charging station. Lock your bike and end your loan by clicking on “Return” then “End Rental”.

→ Frequently asked questions (PDF, 153 KB)

At EPFL, it is possible to get an annual subscription to Donkey Republic at the preferential rate of CHF 48/year (instead of CHF 60/year). This includes 12 hours’ use of all Donkey Republic networks.

To find a bike, install the Donkey Republic iOS or Android application. Under the “Profile” tab, create your account using your EPFL e-mail address. You will then be able to take advantage of an annual subscription for CHF 48.

When a bike is available, it is displayed on the map. Click on it and follow the procedure. The rental is valid for 12 hours at no additional cost.

• Near the bike, click on your reservation and then on “Unlock”. The lock will open automatically after 5 seconds. The location service and your Bluetooth connection must be activated.
• Lower the lock lever when you take a break, then click on “Unlock” in the application when you’re ready to set off again.

• Before your rental period expires, simply return your bike to its location.
• Lock your bike and end your loan by clicking on “Return” then “End Rental”.

The City now offers a 50% discount on the Donkey Republic subscription to the EPFL community. To benefit from this subsidy, simply create an account using your EPFL email address. As long as you are located on the Neuchâtel lakeshore, the CHF 30 subscription will automatically appear under the “Subscribe” tab.

In Neuchâtel, the annuel pass entitles you to:

• Benefit from reduced admission to museums (MEN, MahN, Museum of Natural History, Laténium and Dürrenmatt Center Neuchâtel)
• Win tickets to festivals (Corn’Rock, Festi’Neuch, NIFFF), theaters (Passage and CCN-Pommier) and to the Case à Chocs

The City also offers a 50% discount on the rental of self-service bikes at the Neuchâtelroule station located behind the Beaulac, upon presentation of an EPFL student or member card.

To find a scooter, download the Lime app on iOS or Android and create a personal account. You will then be able to view the map of available stations in the app.

 Lime charges a fixed fee to unlock each vehicle and a per-minute rate while you ride. Prices may vary depending on location and time of day.

 We encourage you to use this mode of transport carefully and to follow the applicable rules (here– in French / German), such as not riding on sidewalks and obeying traffic laws that apply to cars. Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended, as e-scooters are less stable than bicycles.

It’s possible to rent a Rent a Bike bike for a day.

→ More information

→ Price list

Long-term rentals are also available for various types of electric bikes. Maintenance and protection pack are included in the rates.

→ More information

→ Price list

Rent a Bike also offers group rentals for trips with colleagues or students, for example.

→ More information

→ Price list