To promote and enhance the use of bicycles for commuting, EPFL has developed integrated, continuous and safe cycling infrastructure on campus with good connections to the surrounding areas. The School is a forerunner in bike sharing, with the first Swiss network inaugurated on campus in 2009 and the organisation of a pilot project in 2019 prior to the development of the new PubliBike network in several Swiss conurbations, including Zürich and Bern.
Bike sharing
A large number of shared bicycles are available to the EPFL community to encourage people to discover cycling and make it easier to get around the campus.
PubliBike-Velospot
Over the next 18 months, PubliBike and Velospot will progressively merge. For both PubliBike and Velospot customers, this means that in future they will be able to rent and use all PubliBike and Velospot bikes in Switzerland with a single “PubliBike Velospot” application.
During the network harmonization phase, you will therefore need to use two applications, either PubliBike or PubliBike-Velospot, depending on your location.
PubliBike is currently present in Berne, the Lausanne-Morges agglomeration, the Nyon region, Sottoceneri (TI) and Zurich with over 630 stations, see map.
PubliBike-Velospot is currently present in Fribourg, the central Valais agglomeration, Aigle, Basel, Biel/Bienne, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Locarnese-Bellinzonese, Martigny, PSI-Villigen, Riviera and St. Petersinsel with over 740 stations, see map.
The EPFL community can subscribe to PubliBike for one year (CHF 50.-) or six months (CHF 25.-), valid from the time of registration.
The first 60 minutes of each trip (bike or e-bike) are included in the subscription, after which the per-minute rate applies : bike CHF 0.05.- and e-bike: CHF 0.10.-.
A total of 11 PubliBike stations are available on the UNIL-EPFL campus. PubliBike-Velospot is also present on the EPFL campuses in Fribourg and Sion.
The PubliBike subscription gives access to all other PubliBike networks in Switzerland. → See map.
To access the bike sharing services of the PubliBike-Velospot network, you need to link your PubliBike account to the new PubliBike-Velospot offer → See below or here.
- Get an EPFL subscription (see above) and check bike availability using the PubliBike app.
- Press the button behind the saddle to unlock the bike. Hold your smartphone or CAMIPRO card up to the lock. It will open automatically.
With an EPFL subscription, you have 60 minutes included for each use of the muscle bikes and the e-bikes for free of charge. Once you reach the 60 minutes, the rate is CHF 0.05.- (bike) and CHF 0.10.- (e-bike) per minute respectively. Up to 5 bikes can be borrowed simultaneously; from the second bike onwards, the B-Quick fare applies.
Simply bring the bike to a station and close the lock. The journey ends automatically.
By downloading the new PubliBike-Velospot application, you can link your PubliBike account to the new PubliBike-Velospot offer. To do so, please press/click on the “Free PubliBike Velospot upgrade” button (see Instructions for Publibike Velospot account upgrade ENG (PDF)) or the “Link accounts” button (see Instruction to connect Velospot account (only in German, PDF)) in your PubliBike account (via the app or the website).
Cargobikes EPFL
The EPFL community can borrow Switzerland’s first cargobikes free of charge for up to 12 hours. These bikes offer an alternative to the car for transporting goods on campus and in the surrounding area. The EPFL fleet comprises 6 electric cargobikes and 2 muscle cargobikes equipped with smart locks controlled by a smartphone application.
The EPFL campus counts 6 electric cargobikes and 2 muscle cargobikes equipped with smart locks controlled by a smartphone application → Map of cargobike locations
- Near the bike, click on your reservation and then on “Unlock”. The lock will open automatically after 5 seconds. The location service and your Bluetooth connection must be activated.
- Lower the lock lever when you take a break, then click on “Unlock” in the application when you’re ready to set off again.
Before your loan time runs out, simply return your cargo bike to its location and plug it into the charging station. Lock your bike and end your loan by clicking on “Return” then “End Rental”.
→ Frequently asked questions (PDF, 153 KB)
Donkey Republic
The Donkey Republic bike sharing network is available in a number of locations in Switzerland, including Neuchâtel (Microcity) and Geneva (Campus Biotech). EPFL staff members can subscribe to an annual pass at a preferential rate.
At EPFL, it is possible to get an annual subscription to Donkey Republic at the preferential rate of CHF 48/year (instead of CHF 60/year). This includes 12 hours’ use of all Donkey Republic networks.
When a bike is available, it is displayed on the map. Click on it and follow the procedure. The rental is valid for 12 hours at no additional cost.
- Near the bike, click on your reservation and then on “Unlock”. The lock will open automatically after 5 seconds. The location service and your Bluetooth connection must be activated.
- Lower the lock lever when you take a break, then click on “Unlock” in the application when you’re ready to set off again.
- Before your rental period expires, simply return your bike to its location.
- Lock your bike and end your loan by clicking on “Return” then “End Rental”.
In Neuchâtel, the annuel pass entitles you to:
- Have access to the bikes from the Neuchâtelroule Port station on the rental portal
- Benefit from reduced admission to museums (MEN, MahN, Museum of Natural History, Laténium and Dürrenmatt Center Neuchâtel)
- Win tickets to festivals (Corn’Rock, Festi’Neuch, NIFFF), theaters (Passage and CCN-Pommier) and to the Case à Chocs
Rent a Bike AG
Rent a Bike is the SBB’s bike rental platform, offering a wide selection of bikes choice of bikes, including city bikes, electric bikes, (e-)mountain bikes (e-)mountain bikes and much more. Over 150 stations are available throughout Switzerland!
Long-term rentals are also available for various types of electric bikes. Maintenance and protection pack are included in the rates.
→ More information here
Rent a Bike also offers group rentals for trips with colleagues or students, for example.
→ More information here