In 2017, ‘shared bicycles’ (in fact, commercial rental bicycles) created a mess on Amsterdam’s streets. Amsterdam has now allowed a more controlled re-introduction of shared bicycles. The idea is that they might become part of hubs in a network of public transport and ‘shared’ bicycles, scooters and cars.

Bicycle racks for shared bicycles are currently available in selected parts of the city and are mostly located on major bicycle routes and near public transport stops. The median distance to the nearest rack (as the crow flies) is over 350 metres.

It seems unlikely that the scheme in its current form will be economically viable. Operators will likely ask for a more dense network of bicycle racks (one per 150–200 metres) across the entire city. Further, it appears likely that they will seek government subsidies to operate their scheme.

Note that most people in Amsterdam already own a bicycle and there’s a good system of rental bicycles available at railway stations (OV-fiets).

Full analysis (pdf, in Dutch) in the OEK, the magazine of the Amsterdam branche of cyclists’ organisation Fietsersbond.

About the map: green lines represent major cycle routes (‘plus- en hoofdnet’); small circles represent bus, tram and metro stops; large circles represent bicycle racks allocated to bike share operators Donkey Republic and Go About (click on a bicycle rack location for details). Bicycle racks operated by Flickbike and Cargaroo are not shown on the map. Source: Amsterdam Municipality (cycle routes, metro and tram stops); Open Street Map (bus stops); Donkey Republic, Go About. Situation as of March 2022.