The city of Tartu is set to revive its bike-sharing program, with the first bicycles already making their appearance on the streets. By the end of the week, the city plans to have the entire fleet operational. In an effort to enhance the user experience and replace some worn-out bicycles, the local government also intends to procure additional models. Most of the bikes for this initiative initially came from the bankrupt Canadian company Bewegen, leading the city to explore options from other suppliers, including local Estonian company Better Than Driving and the Portuguese company Wegoshare, whose demonstration bikes had previously been in circulation last fall.

According to Tartu's public transport head Roman Meeks, the city has so far only acquired electric bicycles to expand its fleet. He noted that all of the newer models being introduced are electric, adding that the design features of the Portuguese bikes include a unique rear basket and a lack of traditional cable locks, which could cater to modern user preferences. The hope is that this updated fleet will not only incentivize the use of bike-sharing in Tartu but also address previous operational shortcomings as experienced with the older models.

This step to reinstate a bike-sharing program aligns with global trends advocating for sustainable urban transportation solutions. As cities strive to reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions, Tartu's initiative may serve as a model for similar programs in Estonian cities and beyond, potentially stimulating increased bicycle use and contributing positively to urban mobility improvements in the region.