July 12, 2021 - The city of Split cycled an incredible 1.32 million kilometers over the last two years, continuously proving that the public bicycle system is a success!

Two years have passed since Split received its public bicycle system, which has proved to be a complete success. Since the beginning, public bicycles in Split have been used for 88,566 hours, and users have cycled an incredible 1,328,485 kilometers, over four times more in the second year than the first. The system has thus profiled itself as a fully accepted new mode of public transport that is faster, healthier, and cheaper to use and has become part of the daily lives of many citizens, reports Dalmacija Danas.

In its second year of operation, the system had a major expansion. From the initial 12, it reached 51 stations, which covered all city districts and all important institutions and increased the number of bicycles from 86 to 280 bicycles.

All this has resulted in a large increase in users and rentals. The system currently has 21,848 registered users, of which 80 percent are domestic. Since the beginning, a total of 240,784 rentals have been realized, of which almost 200,000 in the second year alone, which is over four times more than in the first year of operation.

Split Parking said that due to the increase in the number of users in the past year, they also worked on education, so BicikliSTički etiquette was issued, which is also available online so that all traffic participants can be informed how to use the system safely and correctly.

"We plan to continue with the development of the system, and when allowed, to expand it further and connect it with other units within the agglomeration, which we are already working on in cooperation with other partners. We are also thinking and working on developing new functionalities that would make use more enjoyable. For example, last year we introduced a new weekly subscription option, and the annual price for all users has remained the same and is the cheapest form of public transport. For 200 kuna per year, you have an unlimited number of free rides of up to 30 minutes. We believe that the development of cycling infrastructure will accompany the development of the public bicycle system to ensure that all users enjoy cycling as safe as possible," said Marko Bartulić, director of Split Parking.

"Work is also underway to install surveillance cameras at stations to prevent damage by irresponsible individuals on bicycles. Fortunately, they are in the minority, and such incidents are more the exception than the rule. Most users and citizens are responsible for the system since it is common and available for everyone to use," concluded Split Parking. 

The city of Split is still at the top of the region in terms of figures. May 2021 saw a record number of rentals (36,623), while on June 2, 2021, the record daily number of rentals was achieved (1634).

No less important is the fact that we protect the environment by using this form of transport, and citizens who have cycled instead of cars in these two years have contributed to reducing emissions, i.e., ensured that 332.12 tons of CO2 are less emitted into the atmosphere.

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February 16, 2021 - The Split public bicycle system continues to set new records, with new stations and bikes on the way.

Dalmatinski Portal reports that in December, the Split public bicycle system welcomed a total of 10,241 rentals, in January over 13,000, and in the first 12 days of February, 8,835 rentals were already realized. In recent months, the number of users has also increased significantly, with 1,137 new users in December, 985 in January, and 681 new users since the beginning of February. If we add the results so far, a total of over 110,000 rentals have been realized since the beginning, and over 14,500 users have registered.

This weekend, five more new stations have enhanced the public bicycle system in Split. Thus, the latest active locations are Bračka, Brda - Ravne Njive, City Centar One, Kocunar, and Neslanovac. A total of 46 stations are now available to users, and most bicycles from the new contingent have been opened to traffic.

The latest expansion of the system has contributed to the growth in the number of rentals and users, and the trend is expected to continue. In January, despite somewhat colder weather, the record in the number of daily rentals was broken, which was repeated in February and now amounts to 870 rentals per day.

"The citizens' initial reactions to the system were excellent, and the demand grew, which is why we decided to expand it. The goal of the system and its expansion are primarily to provide an alternative form of transportation that is faster, healthier, and cheaper. For 200 kuna a year, you can ride an unlimited number of times for up to 30 minutes, which is enough in Split to get from one desired location to another. This is, I believe, an extremely affordable form of mobility. We are now talking about an average of about 400 rentals per day, which puts Split at the very top in terms of use in Croatia and the region. We continue to monitor the needs of citizens and adapt and improve our service," said Marko Bartulić, director of Split Parking.

To complete the planned expansion, five more stations are to be set up, for which alternative locations had to be sought. Then the necessary documentation and approvals were obtained. This is at Gajo Bulat Square, where the station was installed, and the technical setups need to be resolved before commissioning, the elementary school Žnjan Pazdigrad, elementary school Kamen Šine, Mertojak near the Health Center, and Sirobuja. Their installation is expected by the end of the month, and the system will then count a total of 51 stations across the city.

A new price list for the public bicycle system is in operation, which also offers new options such as a weekly subscription and renting two bicycles at the same time through one user account for all weekly and annual subscribers. The yearly subscription price and all the benefits it includes remains the same, i.e., 200 kuna per year, and consists of an unlimited number of rides of up to 30 minutes.

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November 20, 2020 - The Split public bicycle network has considerably grown this week thanks to the addition of 194 new classic and electric bicycles! 

One-hundred-ninety-four new public bicycles were presented in the Split City Port on Thursday. This is a project to expand the public bicycle network and continue the investment of the City of Split and "Split parking" in the increasingly popular form of public transport. Today, the total number of public bicycles in Split has risen to 280, and the number of stations to 51, announced the City of Split.

Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara did not hide his satisfaction either, saying that "the numbers speak for themselves".

"It doesn't take long for some to be skeptical and reserved about this project. However, we are the first city in Croatia in terms of the number of public bicycles. We are working on urban and sustainable mobility. We returned the bicycles to the citizens and the public space. Of course, we are facing the construction of infrastructure and new paths and routes for cyclists, including the one from the Port Authority building to Trstenik. With this system, as well as the new ecological Promet Split buses, we have practically remodeled public transport in our city," said the mayor.

The director of "Split parking," Marko Bartulić, stated that the network of public bicycles in Split proved to be a complete success. As many as 11 thousand bicycle subscribers, of which 80 percent are citizens of Split, since the beginning of this system's introduction, have cycled the equivalent of 8 circles around the Earth!

"We bring a network of public bicycles to every city district. This gave us an alternative, that is, a serious public transport system. In this new expansion, we have 136 new electric bicycles, because due to the configuration of the terrain in Split, it has been shown that users prefer electric bicycles," said director Bartulić.

Recall, the City of Split introduced a system of public bicycles through the EU project REMEDIO in July 2019, when, with the financial contribution of Split Parking, which recognized the importance of introducing an alternative form of public transport, launched a system of public bicycles with a mixed contingent of bicycles.

One-hundred-seventy bicycles (120 electric and 50 classic) and 35 stations from the contingent presented on Thursday are financed and installed by the city company Split parking, and the City of Split provided another 24 bicycles (16 electric and 8 classic) and four stations through the EU project TOMORROW.

The City of Split, together with the cities of the Urban Agglomeration of Split, and with the technical and professional assistance of the Development Agency Split - RaST, announced a project to introduce and improve the system of public bicycles through the ITU mechanism of the urban agglomeration of Split, through which the procurement of 16 more terminals with 50 electric and 20 classic bicycles for the city of Split, will connect Split with other cities in the agglomeration.

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September 16, 2020 - The company "Split parking" has been approved a maximum of 75 thousand kuna without VAT for the purchase of electric bicycles after applying to the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund's public call co-finance the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles.

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the maximum subsidy of the state institution is 5,000 kuna per vehicle on two wheels, which means that the Fund will subsidize a total of 15 of the 120 already ordered electric bicycles that should arrive on the streets of Split at the end of October. Since the vehicles that can be rented in our city are more expensive than the mentioned amount of support, the rest of the value will be paid by the utility company.

"Funds are intended to increase energy efficiency in transport, and the project achieves energy savings and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful substances," says Split parking.

This, they say, is in line with Split Parking's plans to promote alternative forms of transport in Split, which from month to month, holds the position of a record holder in Croatia in the use of public bicycles, so new bicycles will certainly provoke positive reactions from residents.

"When we saw the tender, we immediately decided to prepare all the necessary documentation and apply and use the opportunity for subsidies. We have been up to date enough, and the funds are there now. According to the contract, we are obliged to spend the funds within a year, but since the bikes have already been ordered because we planned to increase the number of bikes in the public bike system, it will happen much earlier," said Split parking.

In addition to the purchase of new electric bicycles, Split parking will also purchase 50 classic bikes. All of them will find their place at the new stations set up in the city's busiest locations. Preparatory works should start at the end of September, and about 35 new stations are planned.

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