Bilbao cycles straight into the future with new bikesharing scheme Bilbaobizi
Bilbao has unveiled a fully electric bikeshare system, bringing 790 e-bikes, smart charging, and AI-driven operations to its streets as part of the city’s wider push for cleaner, more liveable mobility.
POLIS member Bilbao has started a new chapter in its urban mobility story with the launch of Bilbaobizi. The next-generation, fully electric bikeshare system is in partnership with operator Serveo and sponsored by Iberdrola. This innovatively designed network introduced 790 electric bicycles and 48 smart charging stations to better serve its diverse terrain and growing user base. Bilbaobizi is set to expand further by 2026, positioning the city as a leader in Spain’s shift towards sustainable urban transport.
Known for its steep hills and vibrant urban fabric of around 350,000 inhabitants, Bilbao has moved decisively towards inclusivity in micromobility. The deployment of a 100% electric fleet is another testament to the city's dedication to accessibility. Hence, the decision was made to make cycling available to a wider audience, easing the physical strain of climbs and improving practical access in hilly neighbourhoods. Additionally, the smart charging stations, which automatically replenish batteries, eliminate reliance on service vans, streamlining operations and reducing emissions.
Smarter, cleaner, connected
Powered by Lyft Urban Solutions, residents and visitors can locate, unlock, pause mid-ride, and manage their account all through a mobile app already in use in cities such as Zaragoza and Madrid. Meanwhile, Urban Sharing’s AI-driven platform Urban Crew, newly integrated with LUS’s API, enables intelligent fleet operations, from forecasting demand to enforcing service-level agreements (SLAs) on both bikes and areas, optimising rebalancing and charging logistics.
This advanced operational layer represents a first for Serveo in collaborating with LUS. It provides real-time dashboards and SLA heatmaps to maintain system health and responsiveness from day one.
Bilbaobizi does not exist in isolation. In fact, it complements Bilbao’s wider transport and environmental policies. Alongside its low-emission zone and the “Bilbao 30” traffic-calming programme, the bikeshare upgrade is a key step. It will play an important role in reducing car dependence, cutting emissions, and enhancing liveability across the city.
Bilbaobizi embodies Bilbao’s ambition to lead in cleaner, smarter, citizen-centred mobility. It is a model for other mid-sized cities navigating the electrification of public transport and active mobility alike.
Photo credit: Lyft Urban Solutions
Expansion horizons: Looking ahead to 2026
That is not all! By 2026, the network is scheduled for a significant expansion, with 1,250 bikes and 68 smart stations, extending service into more neighbourhoods and bringing kilometres of electrification to an ever-larger swathe of Bilbao.
As an active member of our network, Bilbao’s experience demonstrates how mid-sized European cities can embrace ambitious solutions that not only reduce emissions and car dependency, but also enhance everyday liveability.
