To promote and enhance the use of bicycles for commuting, EPFL has developed integrated, continuous and safe cycling infrastructure on campus with good connections to the surrounding areas. The School is a forerunner in bike sharing, with the first Swiss network inaugurated on campus in 2009 and the organisation of a pilot project in 2019.
Bike sharing
Various bike sharing networks are available to the EPFL community to encourage cycling and to facilitate mobility on campus.
Lime
The Lime bike-sharing network is available on university campuses as well as in the Morges Region and Lausanne Region. In this area, the Lime fleet consists of 100% electric bikes.
Lime is currently present in several Swiss cities, including Basel, Zurich, and Sion.
As a member of the EPFL community, you benefit from subsidies concerning certain tariffs using your EPFL email adress.
Members of the EPFL community benefit from a 30% discount on Lime per-minute rates using an EPFL email address.
Rates for EPFL community members:
- Unlock fee: CHF 0.35
- Price per minute: ~CHF 0.17
Lime Pass (standard rates)
Users can also purchase a package of minutes to be used over a defined period, without additional unlocking fees. The EPFL subsidy does not apply to this package.
- Lime Pass 30 min (valid 24h): CHF 4.95
- Lime Pass 200 min (valid 7 days): CHF 29.95
- Lime Pass 400 min (valid 30 days): CHF 53.95
- Lime Pass 800 min (valid 90 days): CHF 99.95
- Register via the app
- To benefit from EPFL preferential rates, sign up with your EPFL email address.
- Registration support
A total of 11 Lime stations are available on the EPFL campus. Lime is also present at the EPFL Sion campus.
→ See map.
A Lime subscription provides access to all Lime networks across Switzerland.
- Register via the app (see above) and check availability and battery level using the Lime app
- Scan the QR code on the bike
- You can also reserve a bike directly in the app
During your trip, you can track duration, cost, location, battery range, and nearby parking zones in real time via the app or your phone. You can also pause your ride to temporarily lock the bike. Additionally, you can enter a destination to be guided to a nearby parking zone.
- You must end your trip in authorized parking zones only
- If required, secure the bike with a lock
- Take a photo via the app to confirm parking
- The app will then display a trip summary, including route, distance, duration, and final price
Cargobikes EPFL
The EPFL community can borrow Switzerland’s first cargobikes free of charge for up to 12 hours. These bikes offer an alternative to the car for transporting goods on campus and in the surrounding area. The EPFL fleet comprises 6 electric cargobikes and 1 muscular cargobike equipped with smart locks controlled by a smartphone application. Use of these cargobikes imply agreement with the terms of use.
The EPFL campus counts 6 electric cargobikes and 2 muscle cargobikes equipped with smart locks controlled by a smartphone application → Map of cargobike locations
- 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)
Donkey Republic
The Donkey Republic bike sharing network is available in a number of locations in Switzerland, including Neuchâtel (Microcity) and Geneva (Campus Biotech). EPFL staff members can subscribe to an annual pass at a preferential rate.
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.
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.
Lime Dockless E-Scooters
The Lime electric dockless scooter network is available on the EPFL Valais Wallis campus, near the ALPOLE building, at the end of the outdoor bike parking area. This service is part of a broader effort to decarbonize transportation and provide alternative solutions for the “last mile” challenge.
For any technical or administrative questions, please contact Lime.
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.
Rent a Bike AG
Rent a Bike is the SBB’s bike rental platform, offering a wide selection of bikes choice of bikes, including city bikes, electric bikes, (e-)mountain bikes (e-)mountain bikes and much more. Over 150 stations are available throughout Switzerland!
Long-term rentals are also available for various types of electric bikes. Maintenance and protection pack are included in the rates.
Rent a Bike also offers group rentals for trips with colleagues or students, for example.