The strange mental block around shared bikes
Many cities have bike-sharing programs, yet people often don’t see them as a viable option. The key issue is typically the lack of cycling infrastructure. People don’t feel safe on the road next to cars, especially as beginners. For me, that wasn’t an issue; I ride my own bike in the city regularly. I think it was a mix of scepticism and habit.
I first tried shared bikes years ago while visiting Wrocław. They were fun, convenient, and added a unique element to our trip. But when I returned to Prague, I didn’t even consider using them. You’d think being a cyclist would make me more open to the idea, but it actually had the opposite effect. As someone who owns a bike, I assumed shared bikes would be heavy, slow, and uncomfortable. Why pay for a subpar experience when I could ride my own bike for free?
What changed my mind
My first experience with shared bikes in Prague was purely practical: I rented one so my mom could join me for a casual ride during her visit. A year later, on a sunny summer day, I decided to try it myself. I used a Rekola bike to get to the train station instead of taking the tram. The ride took the same amount of time, but I arrived feeling energised, with the added bonus of sunshine, fresh air, and stretched legs before hours of sitting. That’s when I realised how much I’d been missing out.
Since then, I’ve used shared bikes for trips to the bouldering gym, the dentist, and even some work meetings. Almost every time, I’ve arrived feeling happier and more refreshed than I would have after sitting in a crowded tram or taxi. After about 10 rides, I was fully converted. Here’s why:
Efficient exercise: I get movement built into my day while commuting. It’s like finding extra time.
Better mood: Riding a bike beats sitting in public transport. I arrive at my destination feeling refreshed.
Less congestion: One fewer person on the tram or in a taxi means less crowding for everyone.
More time on the bike: Even short rides add up, making it easier to hit my yearly distance targets.
Less bike maintenance: I no longer need to own, store or maintain my own commuter bike.
Convenience: No worrying about locking up my bike or setting it up. I just grab a shared bike and go.
The surprising joy of low-stakes riding
If I had to pinpoint the biggest reason I love shared bikes, it’s the freedom of riding without pressure. On my road or trail bike, every ride has a purpose: chasing Strava segments, following a training plan or mastering handling skills. But on a shared bike, speed doesn’t matter. I can cruise, soak in the views, speed up when I feel like it and enjoy the ride without worrying about performance, fuelling, or aerodynamics. It’s a refreshing change.
Don’t get me wrong: most of my cycling will still be intentional. But these small, low-stakes rides remind me of riding my bike as a kid and why I fell in love with cycling in the first place.
For many people, the biggest factor in choosing shared bikes is whether they’re faster or slower than public transport. In my next article, I’ll compare the two in terms of the door-to-door speed.