Lahden kaupunkipyörät show growing damage and neglect

Damage to seats and broken information displays are among the problems plaguing the city’s 500 electric-assisted bikes this summer, according to city and user feedback.

“We are hearing more complaints than before,” said Emilia Virtanen, urban transport planner at the City of Lahti. “Issues have emerged in customer feedback, the city’s own quality control and observations by summer workers.”

Problems include rattling frames, bent pedals, brake defects and low tyre pressure. Intentional damage is also visible: information screens on handlebars have been smashed, seats slit open and chains removed. Some seats have cracked from heavy use.

Virtanen said repairs for vandalism divert maintenance resources from routine upkeep. The city has required the operator, Freebike, to restore the fleet to full working order at its own expense before the 2027 season.

On Wednesday morning, Yle visited three central stations with about ten bikes each. Nearly every bike at two stations showed external damage; only one bike at the Kauppatori station appeared undamaged. Users reported noisy rides, chain slippage and pedal misalignment. Some riders switched bikes because of low tyre pressure.

Despite the issues, overall usage has risen compared with last year once short, failed trips are excluded.

Lahti resident Preety Devi, who uses the bikes almost daily, said she has encountered problems with tyres, chains and seats. “If I need a bike and there’s only one or two available and they don’t work properly, it doesn’t feel good,” she said. She also criticised riders who leave bikes lying around.