Bike Sharing in Cologne

A quick overview of the different bike sharing programs in Cologne, Germany, as of September 2018.

Details

	Mobike	KVB-Rad	Donkey Bike	FordPass Bike
Bikes				File:Bike sharing cologne fordpass.jpg
Available since	July 2018	May 2015	April 2018	October 2017
Origin	China, Beijing	Germany, Leipzig	Denmark, Copenhagen	Berlin, Germany
Company	Mobike	Nextbike	Donkey Republic	DB Call-a-bike
Number of bikes	500	950 [1]	500	2000
Brake type	Right-handlebar brake	Back-crank Right-handlebar brake	Handlebar brakes	Handlebar brakes
Number of gears	Single gear on Classic-bike Three gears on Lite-bike	Three gears	Three gears	Three gears
Shifter type	No gears on Classic-bike Twist-gear on Lite-bike	Right twist gear-handle	Right twist gear-handle	Right twist gear-handle
Bell type	Twist bell-handle	Hammer-type bell	Hammer-type bell	Twist bell-handle
Wheel size	24-inch on Classic-bike 26-inch on Lite-bike	26-inch	26-inch	26-inch
Weight	24 kg Classic-bike 17 kg Lite-bike	-	-	-
Payment method	App only, top-up wallet or plan (first 30min included) Top-up via card or Klarna/Sofort bank transfer	App, web, terminal, hotline PIN-code input on rear-rack Top-up via card, Paypal or direct debit/bank transfer	App only, charged per rental or plan (12 hours included) Payment via card only	App, phone PIN-code input on handlebar
Locking method	Rear on-frame wheel-lock automatic/manual	Front wire-bolt wheel-lock	Rear on-frame wheel-lock Chain-lock bolt	Rear on-frame wheel-lock with manual unlock-button
Authentication method	QR-code scan or enter bike number, automatic electronic unlock	QR-code scan or enter bike number and PIN-code to manually unlock/pull bolt	Pick/reserve and unlock via app, remove chain-lock and wheel-lock	Enter bike number and PIN-code
Drop-off- area	Anywhere within boundary Limited coverage, smallest of them all	Anywhere within boundary Biggest coverage, covers Deutz	Specific hubs within boundary, grace period Good coverage, covers Deutz	Anywhere within boundary Limited coverage
Bikes simultaneously/account	1 bike	2 bikes	4 bikes	2 bikes
Pause/break allowed	No	Yes	Yes, also swap bike	Yes
Pricing	0.79EUR/20min Classic-bike 1.00EUR/20min normal bike Plans: 7.90EUR5.00EUR/30days - first 30min included 19.90EUR/90days 59.90EUR/365days	1.00EUR/30min Plans: 48.00EUR/365days for 30min included per ride	1.50EUR/30min 1.00EUR/2hours 8.50EUR/6hours 10.20EUR/12hours 12.00EUR/1day 21.60EUR/2days 28.80EUR/3days 50.40EUR/week 81.00EUR/2weeks Notification when time has expired, some grace period to get to a hub Plans: 15.00EUR/month for 12hours of riding total	1.00EUR/30min 15.00EUR/12hours 15.00EUR/12hours reduced with 3.00EUR/year fee, reduced 12.00EUR/year for students, BahnCarten-holders, etc. Allowed to rent two bikes at the same time Comfort plans: 49.00EUR/year or 39.00EUR/year via FordPass app - first 30min included 9.00EUR/month - first 30min included Day plans: 15.00EUR/day 40.00EUR/3days
Discount/coupon code	Sign-up via this link to get five free starter rides	-	MYCITYCOL promo code for 10% discount	Sign-up via FordPass App for exclusive discount
Extra features	Automatically unlocks Large front-cargo basket 5kg Scoring system for benefits/suspensions	Small front-cargo basket 5kg Temporarily lock the bike	Automatically unlocks Mobile holder-straps Front-cargo rack Receipt via email Temporarily lock the bike	Rear passenger rack
Personal review score	8/10	7/10	9/10	-/10