Frýdek-Místek enhances shared bikes and cyclepath network

Nextbike to operate shared bikes for another two years

Residents will continue to have access to 200 bikes stationed across 125 locations throughout the city. “We financially support the shared bike system from the city budget, allowing cyclists to enjoy the first 15 minutes free of charge,” said Deputy Mayor Lukáš Slíva (Spolu).

Introducing seven-gear bikes

Shared bikes in Frýdek-Místek are available from March 1 to November 30 each year. Last year, the system recorded 76,000 rentals, while this year the number has already reached 103,000 rides. The number of registered users has also increased by 27%, currently totaling nearly 11,000. In 2023, the system cost the city around 1.5 million CZK, while this year, the rising interest is expected to push costs to 2.7 million CZK. Over the next two years, the new, lower contract price is projected to bring annual costs to approximately 2.2 million CZK.

The upcoming season will see the introduction of seven-gear bikes, which the company is gradually deploying. “This upgrade will significantly improve user comfort, especially on uphill rides,” said the spokesperson.

Shared bikes aren’t just for urban trips. The system also operates in nearby municipalities such as Dobrá, Baška, Sviadnov, Žabeň, and Staré Město, where bikes can be rented and returned. Cyclists can also use the system for trips between Frýdek-Místek and Ostrava, where 380 stations with the same service provider are available. Bikes can be rented in one city and returned in the other, making them a practical option for travel between Ostrava and Frýdek-Místek.

Frýdek-Místek has offered shared bikes since 2018. Initially, the system was operated by Rekola until 2020. Since 2021, the service has been provided by Nextbike.

Cyclepath network expansion

“The city is expanding its network of cyclepaths. In addition to the main route along the Ostravice River and around the Olešná Reservoir, new paths are now under construction. These are highly sought after by the public, so the city aims to connect Frýdek-Místek with surrounding municipalities in all directions,” said the city spokesperson.

One of the projects currently underway is a route from Olešná to Palkovice. The cyclepath will be over 1,200 meters long and 3 meters wide, designed to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. The construction cost is 16 million CZK, which the city will share with the municipality of Palkovice, and it is also applying for a state subsidy.

“The preparation process was lengthy due to negotiations with some landowners. Now, we are finally building a safe transportation link for all cyclists, skaters, and scooter users who cannot be guaranteed safety on regular roads. This new cyclepath will also ease congestion on the existing path around Olešná,” said Deputy Mayor Jiří Kajzar (Naše Město F-M).

The new route connects to the existing cyclepath around the Olešná Reservoir, then continues through forested terrain. At the edge of the residential area in Palkovice, it links to a local road as a bike route. From there, it connects to an existing cyclepath running through the center of Palkovice and leading to the ski area.

According to Kajzar, residents have long requested a cyclepath toward the village of Sedliště, which currently can only be reached by bike via a busy road. The city has been working for several years to make this project a reality. “Building the cyclepath alongside the existing regional road is technically challenging, and going through Frýdecký Forest is complicated by property rights issues. Nevertheless, we continue negotiations with the landowners,” Kajzar stated. The city plans to draft a feasibility study for the cyclepath next year.

“Frýdek-Místek is also collaborating with the municipality of Baška to complete the Ostrava–Beskydy cyclepath in the Místek–Baška section. The section within Místek spans just 185 meters, and the city will provide Baška, as the project’s investor, with a subsidy to cover its share of the costs. Construction of the path in Místek is planned for 2025,” the spokesperson added.