Blue-bike is similar to the Dutch OV-fiets: the bikes are located at stations and the rental price is low. But whereas OV-fiets in the Netherlands are linked to a train subscription, Blue-bike in Belgium works slightly differently. With Blue-bike, you pay an annual subscription of €12, which allows you to collect a reliable bike at 110 locations in Belgium. Do you visit Belgium regularly? Then Blue-bike is a convenient and economical option.
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 be in Belgium more often? Then Blue-bike is a good option: the same bike for a day at a low price are between €0 and €3.50, in addition to the one-year membership. 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.
It is easy to subscribe on Blue-bike-site, although instructions are in Flemish. After subscribing, you will receive an email telling you that the membership card and the PIN code will be sent by post. Change that code online or write it down somewhere. You will need it when you collect your bike. The card will arrive in a few days, together with helpful instructions. You can then download the app and book train tickets to Antwerp, Liège, Ghent or any other city of your choice.
The choice fell to Antwerp. The search begins after arriving at the beautiful station. Where are the bikes located? The map in the app shows that there are 47 bikes available... somewhere. The Velo bikes are located at the front of the station. But where are the Blue-bikes? The answer: downstairs. Just in front of the station in Antwerp, a staircase goes down to a bike shelter where you will find a large number of Blue-bikes.
In Antwerp, bikes still have old-fashioned locks whose keys hang in a vending machine. Using your card and pin code, you can grab a key and then look for the corresponding bike. A long staircase with a bike slot takes you back up and you can start having fun.
You can borrow two bikes with one subscription.
The bike has 7 gears, a practical basket at the back and a solid stand. You will have an adventurous day with such a reliable bike, bike paths and routes in Antwerp and the surrounding areas. Of course, you can go shopping on the lovely Kloosterstraat. But cycling to the edges of the city might also be great fun. Visit the Havenhuis, take your bike through the Sint-Annatunnel, ride to Schoonselhof cemetery or Rivierenhof park.
At the end of the day, you can return the bike at the station you will be departing from. If you want to use the bike for longer, you may do so. For an additional charge of € 3.50, you can borrow the bike for an extra day.
When returning the bike, carefully follow the instructions on the screen at the key vending machine. If anything does go wrong, customer service is readily available to help.
Cycling in Bruges is an adventure! The historic city centre is beautiful and parts of it is car-free.
Enjoy historical monuments, green landscapes and numerous museums and activities along the way.
The big sights are not all in the centre and this way you can see a lot in a short time. Hire a bicycle or bring your own on the train.