City bikes

You can access a city bike using the Freebike 3.0 mobile app. You can also rent a bike using contactless payment, but in that case only minute-based pricing is available.

Bikes are picked up and returned at stations. There are 60 stations, including at the market square, sports center, main library, Pikku-Vesku park, harbor, two at the travel center, and in the shopping areas of Laune and Paavola, as well as at the Niemi campus.

You can rent a city bike using contactless payment. It works with most debit and credit cards, as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay. 

Steps for using contactless payment with Mankeli bikes 

1. Tap your card on the reader located behind the saddle. 
2. The rental is successful when the red rear light and white front light are on. 
3. The rental price is shown on the bike’s display. 

To end the rental 

1. Tap your card on the reader behind the saddle OR squeeze the brake lever three times. 
2. The rental ends when the bike lights turn off. 
3. You can print a receipt for your contactless payment ride from the city bike website. 

The price and terms for contactless payment are the same as minute-based pricing: €0.22 per minute.

Mankeli bikes must be returned to Mankeli stations. You can check station locations via the Freebike app, station pole maps, or Lahti’s map service. 

Receipts are not automatically provided for contactless payments. You can print one later from the customer portal. Rides paid via contactless payment are not recorded in the Freebike app. 

Mankeli customer service can help with contactless payment questions. See contact details for Mankeli customer service. 

Customer service can help with bike usage and app-related issues.

Open Mon–Fri 7–19 & Sat–Sun 8–16, lahticitybike@freebike.com, +358 413 140 858.

Other feedback, compliments, complaints, and suggestions can be submitted via the city’s feedback service. 

2026 Ticket Prices: 

• Season ticket: €65 

• Three months: €43

• Monthly ticket: €22

• Weekly ticket: €11 

• Day ticket: €5 (24 h)

• Minute rate: €0.22/min 

The goal is to make the bikes affordable for users. In addition to season ticket holders, Mankeli bikes can be used by tourists, for example.

Prices are set annually by the Lahti Region Public Transport Board.

The size and location of the station network depends on the total number of bikes. Currently, there are 500 bikes and 60 stations. Ideally, each station should have 10 bikes. 

We monitor bike usage rates, station load, and customer feedback. Plans and decisions about expanding the network are based on a broader picture, including the number of bikes in use and demand patterns related to daily rhythms. 

You can request a new Mankeli station via the city’s online feedback channel.

Yes, users must bring their own helmet.

The city has procured the city bike system as a comprehensive service. The bikes are provided by Czech company Freebike s.r.o., which also handles maintenance, customer service, and the rental system. The contract runs for five years, until early 2027.

The gross cost of the city bike service to the city is approximately 700,000 euros per year. The net cost is 500,000 euros. The costs are reduced by user fees, which amount to approximately 200,000 per year.

Using the bikes requires registration and identification. The bikes are equipped with GPS tracking.

The minimum age is 15 years. 
Recommended rider height is over 150 cm. You can adjust the saddle height to suit you.

The city bike season begins when weather permits. The season lasts 7 months, from the start date until October–November. 

City bikes complement public transport, and people arriving from Nastola can continue their journey by city bike. This also applies to other residential areas outside the city bike service area. 

The operator balances the number of bikes at stations daily and replaces the batteries during this process.

City bikes cannot be reserved for private use. All bikes are always available to everyone. Event organizers, associations, schools, work groups, etc. can use the bikes under the same terms as other customers.

Bikes can also be rented using contactless payment, but only minute-based pricing is available.

Due to unpredictable weather, the end of October is typically the end of the city bike season in Finland. 

It is possible—and even a goal—that Mankeli bikes will eventually be available year-round, but they would need to be equipped with features like studded tires.

Each ride includes 45 minutes of usage without extra charge. 
You can extend the time for a small additional fee.

If there’s a Mankeli station along your commute, you can return and re-rent a bike to reset the time. It’s quick and easy!