This weekend, I had the opportunity to test the MOL Bubi bike-sharing system in Budapest not just casually, but intentionally. I cycled around 30+ kilometers per day, choosing the bike as my primary way to explore the city.
The experience was fundamentally different from using Budapest’s excellent public transport or walking. On a bike, the city feels more accessible, more human-scaled, and more connected.
From a user perspective, the system is extremely simple: download the app, scan the QR code, ride, and return the bike. Payment can be made either in advance or after the trip, a small but important detail that lowers the barrier to entry, especially for visitors.
What stood out most to me, however, was the infrastructure. Cycling routes are clearly marked, with a combination of dedicated bike lanes and shared streets. Cyclists are allowed to ride in both directions on selected one-way streets, and there are traffic lights specifically designed for bicycles at intersections. These details matter, as it is a safety topic meter, very important for cyclists.
When combined with Budapest’s strong public transport network, MOL Bubi does not compete with other modes, it complements them. The result is reduced congestion, shorter trips, and an added layer of mobility that benefits both residents and tourists.
From a planning perspective, the data is telling. While Budapest’s cycling modal share remains around 2% (2022), the relaunched MOL Bubi system has recorded over 8 million rentals between spring 2021 and spring 2024. That number alone shows a clear upward trend and strong latent demand even in a city with hilly areas and a continental climate.
The bikes themselves are intentionally simple and robust: baskets, three gears, adjustable seats e.g. designed for everyday use, not just enthusiasts. This is a key lesson: bike-sharing succeeds not because bikes are “perfect,” but because the system is reliable, visible, and easy to use.
From the standpoint of an urban mobility professional, this is exactly the kind of system that can be implemented in Belgrade. The challenges are not technical, they are strategic and political. With the right combination of infrastructure, regulation, and integration with public transport, bike-sharing can become a powerful tool for first- and last-mile mobility, congestion reduction, and healthier cities.
Budapest shows that you don’t need a flat city or a cycling culture overnight. You need consistency, clear rules, and a vision that puts people (not cars!) at the center of urban space.
It’s time we start asking not if such systems work, but why we are still delaying their full potential elsewhere.