Experience Tuscany

Just like in many other European cities, Florence catches up to the new urban green trend. Yes, I am talking about Bike Sharing in Florence, the new European trend that is exploding in all major cities.
In less than one year it should become reality, with 50 stations and 750 bikes all over the city center that will allow for a carefree and environmentally friendly mean of transportation. In addition, the number of cars will be decreased in some measure with the bike sharing, so biking will be more pleasurable and less dangerous. Indeed, although there are about 80 kilometers of biking trails in Florence, and a great portion of the city center has very limited traffic which is restricted only to residents of particular areas, the main city arteries are quite busy and the driving style is pretty wild.

The 50 stations will hold the locked bikes that can be unlocked through a magnetic card for those in possess of a pass, or through a pay-per-day tariff payable with a credit card. Since the maintenance and cleaning service of both bikes and stations are up to the managing company, and no caution is requested to the bike sharer, the credit card information is held just in case the bike is not brought back to any station within 24 hours. The cost in that case would be of 250 Euros!!
Bikes will be available for sharing from 7AM to 1AM. The first half hour will always be free of charge, so if you have to move around the city in short trips you have a free bike to your service and no maintenance! Cool, isn’t it? Just drop it at a station and that’s it.
If you plan on living in Florence for a year and want to take advantage of the yearly pass it will cost you 36 euros, 5 euros for a day, 10 euros for a week, and 8 euros for three days. Passes will be available online or in Florence at specific locations. For an additional 3 euros you can have the magnetic card sent to you.

The Bike Sharing stations in Florence are planned near hotels, squares, stations and congress centers, and bus stops. I love the idea and can’t wait to try it out on my next trip to Florence (which will have to be in more than a year..darn it!)

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