Düsselbikes are proving popular

Demand for Düsselbikes is growing steadily, as initial figures show. From July to August, weekly usage increased by 44 per cent. From August to September, it rose by 80 per cent. As the fleet has been gradually expanded, the use of Düsselbikes has consequently grown steadily. Taken together, they have covered a distance equivalent to more than two and a half laps of the Earth.

University partnerships have been launched

From 1 October, students at Düsseldorf’s universities can also use Düsselbikes at a reduced rate. Hochschule Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences), the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Art Academy) and the Robert Schumann Hochschule (University of Music) in Düsseldorf have all signed partnership agreements with Connected Mobility Düsseldorf (CMD). Discussions with Heinrich-Heine-Universität are ongoing. Students can ride for 60 minutes free of charge with their semester pass. After that, they pay 50 cents per minute or part thereof. The maximum daily charge is 4.50 euros.

Furthermore, the focus is also on corporate partnerships. The insurance company ERGO, which is based in Düsseldorf, is the main sponsor of the bike-share scheme and, from day one on, has been the first company to have its own Düsselbike station outside its headquarters. Further corporate partnerships will follow. Since August, for example, a Düsselbike station has been available outside the headquarters of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG. Discussions are ongoing with other companies regarding both corporate locations and staff discounts.

Although the Düsselbikes have only been available at full fleet capacity for a few days, initial feedback paints a positive picture. On average, a Düsselbike hire lasts around 15 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 1.7 kilometres. More than half of all users opted for the ‘Just Ride’ tariff. Düsselbikes can be booked via both the operator’s app, Donkey Republic, and the Rheinbahn’s Redy app.

Particularly popular pick-up and drop-off locations are the main railway station, Flügelstraße, Zurheide, Rheinbahn and Schinkelstraße. All 2,500 Düsselbikes have been given their own names thanks to the numerous suggestions received.