Blue-bikes in Belgium

What is a Blue-bike?

Blue-bike is similar to our OV-fiets but with some differences. You can find the bikes not only at train stations, but also at tram and bus stops and other locations. And while the OV-fiets in the Netherlands is linked to a rail subscription, Blue-bike in Belgium works slightly differently. You can use the bikes for individual journeys or take out a monthly or annual subscription, giving you access to bikes at over 200 locations across Belgium. Do you visit Belgium regularly? Then Blue-bike is a convenient and affordable option. You can choose a standard bike or an e-bike.
Read more about the rates

Why become a Blue-bike member?

Many cities have a system of shared bikes: for about €5, you can use a bike for a day, which you have to put back in a storage area after cycling for a maximum of half an hour (for example Velo Antwerpen). Very useful when making many short trips in a day. You can also rent a bike for a full day from several rental companies for about €15.

Want to rent a bike for longer, not pay much and visit Belgium more often? Then Blue-bike is a good option: the same bike for a day at a low price. Blue-bike offers three formulas.

1. The Ticket requires no subscription: you pay per trip, with a maximum of € 6 per 12 hours for a city bike or € 12 for an e-bike.
2. Do you cycle in Belgium regularly? Then the Member subscription is great value: € 12 per year or €2 per month, with a maximum ride price of € 3.50 per 12 hours (standard bike) or € 7 (e-bike).
3. If you cycle daily or very frequently, Member Plus offers unlimited trips of up to 12 hours for € 35 per month.

The current rates can be found on the Blue-bike website. On the Blue-bike website, the answer to the question "I live abroad; can I become a member?" is that this programme is intended for residents of Belgium as well as frequent visitors.

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How to rent a Blue-bike

Everything is arranged through the Blue-bike app. Download the app, register your account and choose your subscription formula — you can then pick up a bike straight away, without waiting for a card to arrive by post. The app shows which locations are nearby and whether city bikes or e-bikes are available. On arrival at the station, open the app, select a bike and unlock the digital lock. At the end of the day, end your trip in the app; afterwards you will receive an email with an overview of your trip and the costs.

A day out in Antwerp with a Blue-bike

The bike has 7 gears, a practical basket at the back and a solid stand. With such a reliable bike and the cycling paths and routes in and around Antwerp, you are in for an adventurous day. Of course, you can go shopping on the lovely Kloosterstraat. But cycling to the edges of the city might be even more fun. Visit the Havenhuis, take your bike through the Sint-Annatunnel, ride to Schoonselhof cemetery or Rivierenhof park.

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Returning the bike

At the end of the day, return the bike via the app and lock it. If you want to use the bike for longer, you may do so: for each additional 12-hour period you pay €3.50 (city bike) or €7 (e-bike). At locations with a back-to-many zone, you can also return the bike at a different location within the same zone at no extra cost.

Conclusion: why is Blue-bike practical for residents of the Netherlands?

1. No Belgian train pass needed: One of the biggest advantages for residents of the Netherlands is that you do not need a Belgian train subscription to use Blue-bike. With an annual subscription, you can simpy show up and cycle away.
2. Everywhere in Belgium: Whether you are travelling to Antwerp, Bruges or another Belgian city, with Blue-bike you always have a reliable bicycle at your disposal. You can already collect a bike at over 200 locations.
3. Environmentally friendly and healthy: Blue-bike offers an environmentally friendly way to travel. Moreover, you get the chance to be active while exploring Belgium's beautiful cities and landscapes. The city break need not be limited to the city centre. You can now also discover the surrounding areas on a comfortable bike.
4. Convenience and accessibility: The user-friendly interface of the Blue-bike website and app make it easy to locate, reserve and pay for a bicycle.

Visit Blue-bike website