VallabiciIn this post I'll be touching on the wonderful bike share program that is available to those residing or visiting Valladolid. Cycling through the city is a great way to get around and it's also an excellent way to get your exercise in! So, if you're interested in how to get around Valladolid by bike read down below for more helpful information on how to get started down below! This bike share system was introduced to the city of Valladolid in 2013, so it's still pretty new, but has been very well accepted and integrated into the city. There are 31 different bike stations in the city that you can grab a bike from, and they are all located in pretty busy parts of the city that you'll most likely be around which makes it easy to hop on a bike and go. What You Should Know:
The Different Bike Passes: Bonobici This is the bike pass most residents of the city opt to to apply for, it's also the one I have! So, within this bike pass option you just have to refill the card with at least 25 euros to start. Then for every hour you ride an amount is taken from your balance. I'll break it down, down below:
Once the 25 euros is all used up from your cycling trips you just fill it right back up! Sounds easy right? That's because it is! My school was only 15 minutes away cycling wise, so all my rides were technically "free" which rocked! Tourist Pass: Tourists can apply for a shorter termed bike pass that can be used during their visits. These passes cost 5 euros for a weekly pass, and leaves you with a 5 euro balance. Similarly to the Bonobici pass money is deducted from your account for every hour you ride.
I'd honestly only apply for a Tourist Pass if you were in Valladolid for a week or less and wanted to cycle around the city. So, if you're seriously interested in having cycling be a definite means of travel around Valladolid I'd invest in a bike pass. Where To Apply: You have to apply for a bike pass in person at their office, located on Calle General Ruiz 3. In person is where you fill out an application and make your balance transaction. There's no way to do this online, so you must go in person. It's a pretty small office and it's not hard to miss because through the glass windows you will see a Vallabici bike inside. How To Use The Bike Pass Easy peasy! Once you've found a bike station, you select the bike you want (make sure to choose a bike that has good tire pressure and adjust your seat as needed-I always need to do this as I'm pretty short) you then take out your bike pass which you'll scan. You'll notice that next to where you scan your bike pass there is a button, once your card has been successfully read the button will glow green and you press it! Once you've pressed the button the bike you want will unlatch and you'll hear it unlatch. Then you can start pedaling away! It's pretty simple. Once you've finished cycling and you need to return your bike you can choose to return it to any bike station so long as there are open slots. All you do to lock it back into place, you'll know when it's locked back into place as it'll make a sound. It's easy! Is It Safe To Bike in Valladolid? Yes! As intimidating as it might be to bike around Valladolid I promise the more you get out there and start cycling around the easier it'll get and the more and more your nerves will calm down. This is especially true if you start taking regular routes to work, school etc. So, in this case you'll probably have set places you want to cycle to and then become more familiar with the streets and roads you'll be on. It also helps that Valladolid has bike only lanes, so if you want to be extra care you can stick to these lanes! I usually stuck to these lanes in the beginning because I felt most comfortable there. Cycling is not only good for your health and the environment but it's also fun! So, I encourage you all to sign up to your city's bike share program if there's one! Hope this post helps out anyone wanting to sign up to the bike share program in Valladolid! Happy cycling!
Con amor, Nelli <3
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