Establishment of a public e-bike rental system in the Ljubljana Urban Region

By project SMAPE

Published on 19 May 2025

Slovenia

Zahodna Slovenija

About this good practice

This good practice addresses daily traffic congestion in the Ljubljana Urban Region (LUR), where over 120,000 people commute to Ljubljana. To promote sustainable mobility, the project introduces a regionally integrated e-bike sharing system as an alternative to motorized transport.

The system includes 94 stations with 549 e-bikes and 854 charging docks. It is compatible with Ljubljana’s infrastructure (e.g. URBANA card, park-and-ride) and supports longer-distance commuting. Deployment took about 18 months, starting with a presentation at the LUR Council in December 2023 and followed by focused meetings with municipalities.

With persistence and by clearly presenting the long-term benefits for municipalities and the region, 21 mayors signed a 48-month framework agreement on October 22, 2024. Ljubljana was not included, as it already has a compatible system; Moravče, Kamnik, and Vrhnika also did not join. The agreement allows—but does not obligate—investment in infrastructure.

Due to budget constraints, municipalities plan to co-finance the project with national funds. They are awaiting a public call by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Energy. Led by RRA LUR and partner Nomago d.o.o., the project aims to reduce car use and improve regional mobility. Implementation has started in Medvode.

Resources needed

The project's total value is €5,439,018.60 (excl. VAT), covering infrastructure, e-bike procurement, IT integration, and promotion. Human resources (project managers, municipal staff, operators) are financed separately.

Evidence of success

The initiative's success will be seen in reduced traffic, better commuting, and improved public health. Key indicators include the regional bike-sharing system in all 21 municipalities, increased e-bike trips, reduced motorized traffic, and better access to sustainable transport. In the first three months, the system in Medvode saw 908 user registrations, 460 rentals, and over 4,000 kilometers cycled.

Potential for learning or transfer

This practice highlights the power of regional cooperation, as 21 municipalities came together to implement an e-bike sharing system on the regional level. The system that will be implemented will have a user-centric design and integration with existing mobility systems, making it a replicable model for regions with similar needs. Additionally, the project highlights the importance of building strong stakeholder partnerships and providing flexible, accessible mobility options to encourage behavior change. RRA LUR also views this initiative as an opportunity to learn from international practices. By engaging with other countries and regions, the agency seeks insights on effective strategies to shift public preferences from motorized vehicles to sustainable modes like e-bikes, drawing on knowledge gained through CIVITAS projects in the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Austria, and Germany.