Currently, the bike-sharing system in Tartu mainly uses bicycles from the Canadian company Bewegen. These bikes are old and their use is coming to an end. The Canadian company has gone bankrupt, so it is no longer possible to work with their bikes, says Roman Meeksa, the head of Tartu city transport.
The city is looking for new companies that can supply bikes. Last year, an agreement was reached with one Estonian company. Now, a bike from a Portuguese manufacturer is also being tested. These bikes fit into the existing system because they can be locked and charged with the same equipment.
The Portuguese bikes are lighter than the Canadian ones. The basket is on the back of the bike, not the front. The riding position is more sporty. The new bike uses a U-lock instead of a cable lock.
For testing, 14 new bikes were purchased from the Portuguese manufacturer. Each bike costs 2800 euros. Last year, 10 bikes were purchased from an Estonian manufacturer, each costing 2000 euros. The new bikes are cheaper than the old Bewegen bikes.
Tartu deputy mayor Raimond Tamm says that the bike-sharing fleet is being gradually updated. Every year, there are plans to invest about 200,000 euros in buying new bikes. User feedback is very important to find the best models.