Zurich announces major expansion of the Züri Velo cycle hire scheme

In recent years, Züri Velo or Publibikes have well and truly taken over the streets of the Swiss metropolis. Now, the local council has approved a major expansion of the bike rental service, adding more bikes and new stations both in the city of Zurich and the suburbs.

1.500 bikes and 100 new stations to be added to Züri Velo (Publibike)

Travellers looking for a green and active way to get around Zurich will soon be able to take a Züri Velo from more parts of town, under plans announced by city authorities. From the end of May 2025, 1.500 regular bikes and e-bikes will be gradually introduced into the network, alongside an extra 100 new bike stations. 

Once complete, the Züri Velo scheme will boast 2.500 bikes and e-bikes, dotted around 250 stations throughout the city and surrounding towns. Regensdorf, Dietikon and Urdorf will join the scheme alongside existing members Wallisellen, Opfikon, Dübendorf, and Kloten, bringing the number of bike stations outside Zurich to 50.

"With the expansion of 'Züri Velo', we are creating an even denser, cross-regional network for bicycle traffic – an important step toward the bicycle revolution in Zurich and the metropolitan area," city councillor Simone Brander wrote in a statement.

Züri Velo scheme will continue to expand beyond 2025

Launched in 2018, the Züri Velo has allowed anyone to rent a regular or e-bicycle for a ride around the city, with subscriptions also available for regular riders. According to city authorities, 860.000 Züri Velo trips were taken last year, with association Pro Velo noting that cycle trips in Zurich have doubled since 2011. 

However, while the service has achieved cult status - and its own rap song - it has failed to make a profit since it was launched. Therefore, city authorities will invest 6,3 million francs into expanding the service, while providing operator Publibike with just under 1 million francs a year.

This won't be the end of expansion at Züri Velo, though, with around 2.800 bicycles at 300 stations set to be available by summer 2026. It’s hoped that with various cycling infrastructure projects coming online, most notably the new cycle tunnel underneath Zurich HB, it will convince more people to ditch driving and explore the Swiss metropolis on two wheels.