Nextbike has several types of bikes, but in a city usually only one type of bike is used. Bikes can be differentiated by high or low entry and by lock type. Bikes can have combination locks, fork locks on the front fork or frame locks on the rear wheel.
FAQs
Good questions - and our answersDepending on the system, the bikes can be returned at official stations or within a flexzone, easily visible on any public street. On the location map in your goodride-app, you can easily see where the next station is located or where the flex zone extends to.
Bikes may only be returned in the city where they were rented. Cross-city returns are only possible with RVK e-Bikes.
E-bikes and e-cargobikes must be placed in the charging stands for charging. If none is free, the bike is parked next to it and the lock is closed.
KVB bike Cologne: In Cologne, you can check the small lamp at the rear of the bike before returning it. If it flashes green, the bike can be parked in this area. If it flashes red, the bike is outside the flex zone and away from stations. Returning the bike here is not allowed.
Park the bike at an official station or – if available – within the flex zone of the respective system and lock the lock.
E-bikes and e-cargobikes must be placed in the charging stands. If none is free, the bike is parked next to it and the lock is closed.
There are different return processes for the different types of locks:
Combination lock:
If the bike has a combination lock, return the bike via the app by providing the location.
Frame lock:
If the bike has a frame lock, close the lock. The bike will be returned automatically.
Station with Smartdocks:
If you return your bike to a station with Smartdocks, push it into the stand. A beep confirms the return. If the station is full, park the bike next to it, lock the lock and return the bike via the goodride app, hotline* or terminal.
In all cases, check via the app whether the return was successful and inform customer service if this is not the case.
Yes, you can. If the bike has a combination lock, you can easily lock it and open it again with the lock code.
If the bike has a frame lock, activate the parking mode in the app and then close the lock (note: if you close the lock before the parking mode is activated, the bike will be returned immediately). To continue cycling, exit the parking mode in the app and the lock will open automatically. Therefore, never exit the parking mode remotely.
If the station does not have fixed bike racks, the bike is parked open and connected to itself. For bikes with combination locks, pass the combination lock through the rear wheel and through the metal ring provided. If you do not lead the lock through the metal ring or only through the front wheel, the bike is considered as not securely parked. In this case we reserve the right to charge a service fee of 25 €.
In general, no one may be hindered by the parked bike.
Please note the following:
The bike must not be parked or left:
- at traffic lights
- at parking ticket machines or parking meters
- at street signs
- on sidewalks, if this results in a passage width of less than 1.50 m
- in front of, along and on escape routes and fire department access zones
- if stationary advertising of a third party is covered thereby
- by locking on fences of private or public houses and facilities
- on public transport train and bus platforms
- on public bicycle stands
If this is not observed, we reserve the right to charge a service fee. The amount of service fees can be found in nextbike by TIER’s price list.
If you park your bike away from the station without permission, you will be charged a service fee of at least €20. More information about service fees can be found in the price list.
Defects can easily be reported by e-mail to level2support@nextbike.com. Please check your bike for obvious defects before you start your ride or before you borrow it and inform any damage so that the bikes in question can be blocked and repaired as quickly as possible.
First, check if a spoke is blocking the lock by turning the rear wheel a bit. Then open it again via the app.
If the frame lock still doesn’t open after another attempt via the app, our system automatically detects this after three minutes and cancels the loan. No costs will be incurred. Please check the cancellation in your app and contact if necessary nextbike customer service, at: +49 (0) 30 69205046