Stockholm City Bikes

(Edit: this is a post from 2011. To see updated information, click here for the 2012 post) Warmer weather means that the Stockholm City Bike season has started. I have blogged about it last year, but there are a few changes this year (besides their appearance)... so here is an update!

Stockholm City Bike station

The Stockholm City Bikes are a great way to see the city and an inexpensive way to take a bike ride on a sunny day. You can either buy a season card or a three day card. The three day card is what is most interesting for a visitor so I will concentrate on that. The cost is 125 SEK, but as of June 1st it will be raised to 165 SEK. This is due to that the optional 50 SEK insurance will no longer be optional. I often get the question if there isn't a one day card available. The answer is no, but the cost of their 3 day card is much cheaper than renting a bike for one day at a regular bike rental store.
To buy a card: If you are staying at the Rival Hotel then we do sell the cards for hotel guests in the Reception... just talk to me! Otherwise you can buy a card at the Tourist Information Center at Vasagatan or in the Gallerian shopping center. They are also for sale in the SL Centers in certain subway stations (Slussen, T-Centralen and Fridhemsplan).
Rules: You have to be 18 years of age to rent a bike. There are about 90 bike stands throughout the city and they are open between 6am and 10pm every day. You check out your bike using your card and then you have the bike for three hours at a time. If you require a bike longer then you can check in and then check out a new bike at any of the stations.
Please note: There are no bike stands on the island of Skeppsholmen (Modern Art Museum, etc;) and only one bike stand on the island of Djurgården (Vasa Museum, Skansen, etc;). This is beacuse the islands are government owned and there are special laws regarding advertising. So plan accordingly!
If you are interested in renting more advanced bikes (mountain, city, children, etc;) or cycling guides... click here!