Reykjavík To Start Own Rent-A-Bike Service

The City of Reykjavík is now conducting preparations to begin a city-run bike rental service.

Vísir reports that Reykjavík City Council voted unanimously in favour of advertising for interested parties to help create a city-run bike rental service for the capital. Similar projects have reportedly done well in cities such as London, New York and Paris.

While no exact date has been set on when this service will be launched, Bright Future councilperson S. Björn Blöndal told reporters they are aiming for it to be operational by spring 2017. Possible locations for the service centre including the University of Iceland, the University of Reykjavík, and Hlemmur.

The idea dates back to at least 2014, when a workgroup was first assembled to tackle the issue. Their recommendation was that the city provide assistance for running the service, but that other parties conduct the actual operations. Whether this will involve an arrangement similar to the one capital area municipalities have with mass transit – that is, city contracts with a private company – remains to be seen.