Call a Bike: How the OV-fiets’ German sibling is striding for better bike-train connections

Since its relaunch in 2001, DB Call a Bike has been German railway provider Deutsche Bahn’s bike sharing service, designed to enhance first- and last mile connectivity for travelers.  Although it operates in a different environment than the Netherlands’ OV-Fiets, Call a Bike shares the same objective: making travel more convenient.  

The Dutch Cycling Embassy has hosted Deutsche Bahn for multiple study visits to exchange best practices around the bike-train connection. They have recently made a shift toward a station-based rather than free-floating model to focus on this solution that the product provides. To learn more about the service’s journey and future, we spoke with Cornelius Kiermasch, Head of Shared Mobility at DB Connect. 

What makes Call a Bike so important to Deutsche Bahn?  

For Deutsche Bahn, Call a Bike addresses a key priority: simplifying the first and last segments of a train journey. As a station-based bike-sharing system, it allows travelers to pick up a bike at their destination, easing the transition to or from the train station and making intermodal travel more attractive. 

Why did you switch from a free-floating model to station-based? 

We initially used a semi-free-floating model, with dedicated parking spots in cities and the option to park everywhere for an extra fee. Then we changed our strategy. This change was initiated because the City of Berlin had difficulties with electric scooters cluttering the streets.  With the new regulations on micromobility in Berlin, we shifted in all cities to a fully station-based model. This change has been extremely successful: over 99% of rentals now start and end at a station, To know exactly where your next bike is waiting for you, was leading to a more reliable experience for customers. In Berlin and Cologne, where we implemented the change first, rentals have increased by more than 50% compared to last year. 

Last year you visited Utrecht Central Station with the Dutch Cycling Embassy. Was there anything there that gave you inspiration?  

Absolutely! The OV-fiets model is a really inspiring blueprint for how a transportation company should do long-term bike sharing. For example, in Utrecht Central Station, they have over 1.000 shared bikes in a great parking facility. 

This model emphasizes a streamlined, longer-term rental system, which we find operationally efficient and popular with users. For Call a Bike, this reinforced our vision to evolve our service, moving towards more flexible and longer rental options. Also, from an operational point of view, it is a very lean model, which I liked. 

In the German market, Call a Bike are not the only players. There are other bike sharing services operating in the same cities. How do you navigate competition in Germany’s bike-sharing market? 

Unlike the Netherlands, German cities typically have their own bike-sharing schemes, often subsidized in bigger cities by local governments – and run by different bike sharing operators like us as Deutsche Bahn Connect in Hamburg or Stuttgart. Apart from that there are different micromobility operators which run mainly larger e-scooter and e-bike fleets in the same cities. So, there is a high local cutthroat competition and differentiation is key. We’re focused on differentiating Call a Bike by prioritizing station integration, allowing us to offer unique convenience for long-distance train customers. Currently, Call a Bike operates in six major cities—Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich—providing first- and last-mile solutions for 80% of DB’s long-distance passengers.
 

What initiatives are helping to increase Call a Bike’s accessibility? 

Since mid-September, Call a Bike is integrated in the DB Navigator app. Although users currently transit to the Call a bike app for registration and billing, this integration has greatly improved visibility. By 2025 we aim for a deep integration into the DB Navigator to create a seamless experience. 

Additionally, we offer free ride minutes for DB loyalty program members and partnerships with employers and universities to encourage bike usage. 

I saw that you also launched a Brompton subscription. How did that project come about?  

Our CEO was inspired by Brompton’s London model of bike sharing. Recognizing the congestion caused by traditional bikes during peak hours, we saw the potential of foldable Brompton bikes for DB customers, especially for those who commute. For €90 per month, combining the Deutschland ticket, for at the moment €49 , with a Brompton subscription for €41, customers get a complete mobility package. This compact, train-friendly solution has attracted international interest, and we hope to see similar initiatives in other countries soon.