OV fiets bicycle sharing scheme
Perfect last mile solution
OV‑Fiets was created to solve the public‑transport “last mile” problem—helping passengers travel from train stations to destinations beyond walking distance.
Flexible and easy to use
OV‑Fiets achieves its goals via multiple strategies: bikes at many Dutch train stations for immediate pickup; rentals via app, website, or kiosks; integration with public‑transport ticketing.
Successfully reduces car trips
A study by the Cyclists’ Union also found that OV‑fiets has reduced car use: 17% of respondents said they occasionally travel by train and OV‑fiets on journeys they would previously have made by car, and 16% said they are no longer (or no longer as often) picked up from the station by car.
Integrated and secure
With integrated payment, secure parking, and flexible use, this scheme could be a success for the Danube region—for both tourism and commuting
Challenge addressed: First/last mile solution
OV Fiets was created to solve the public transport “last mile” problem—helping passengers travel from train stations to destinations beyond walking distance. Launched by Dutch authorities as part of an integrated mobility policy, it links transport modes such as train and cycling, supports cycling culture, and promotes sustainable travel for commuters and tourists.
Solution implemented: Integrated, convenient and attractive
OV Fiets achieves its goals via multiple strategies: bikes at many Dutch train stations for immediate pickup; rentals via app, website, or kiosks; integration with public transport ticketing; placement at key transit points; affordable rates; regular maintenance for safety; and secure parking to deter theft, making bike+train travel convenient and attractive
Results achieved: Reduces car use
OV fiets is central to the success of the bike plus train model. Launched in 2003, these public bikes are available at about 280 of the country’s 410 stations, enabling train passengers to complete their journeys by bike after disembarking. The classic Dutch bicycles are provided by the national rail operator NS and can be rented with the same OV chipkaart used on trains, buses, trams, and metros. Rentals cover a 24 hour period, and bikes are picked up and returned at the same station. Subscribers can also rent two bikes at once from the same station for the same price, making it easy to travel with a partner, friend, or family member.
Usage grew again in subsequent years and exceeded the previous peak in 2019, reaching 5.9 million journeys. Demand for OV-fiets continues to rise annually; in 2023, travelers made 5.9 million trips on these public‑transport bikes—an increase of half a million compared with 2022. Currently, 22,500 bicycles are available across 288 locations.
A study by the Cyclists’ Union also found that OV‑fiets has reduced car use: 17% of respondents said they occasionally travel by train and OV‑fiets on journeys they would previously have made by car, and 16% said they are no longer (or no longer as often) picked up from the station by car.
Data from 2011 shows: 8% of OV‑fiets users would have used a car instead of the train; 54% use the train more because OV‑fiets is available; and 46% use a bicycle instead of a tram or bus for last‑mile trips.
Lessons learned: Delivers both speed and flexibility
Across much of the Danube region, rail networks are expanding and being rebuilt. National transport and cycling strategies stress intermodality, noting that bike–train–bike can match cars in speed and flexibility. With integrated payment, secure parking, and flexible use, this scheme could be a success for the Danube region—for both tourism and commuting.
Learn more
The project Active2Public Transport is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union. The project was initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Department II/6 in cooperation with klimaaktiv mobil – the Austrian Federal climate protection initiative on sustainable mobility.