What are bike relocation fees?
A relocation fee is charged if a bike is left outside of a designated drop-off location (hub).
These fees are implemented to ensure proper bike distribution, rider availability, and tidy cities.
🚩 When do these fees apply?
Outside Hub Returns: Ending your rental anywhere not marked as a valid drop-off location in the app.
The "Re-Rental" Penalty: If you end a rental outside a hub and then immediately re-rent the same bike to avoid a long-term charge, a penalty still applies.
Tip: If you plan to use the bike again, keep the rental active by using the "Lock" feature instead of "End Rental."
Missing Bike Recovery: If we have to recover a missing bike that was not secured correctly.
App Warnings: The app provides warnings if you attempt to end a ride outside a designated hub. Dismissing these warnings may result in a relocation fee.
💰 How fees are calculated
Distance-Based: The fee increases based on how far the bike is from the nearest available hub.
The 50km Rule: If a bike is left more than 50km away from the nearest drop-off location, it is treated as a Lost Bike, which carries a significantly higher fee (up to €4,000 for e-cargo bikes).
How to Avoid Relocation Fees
To prevent relocation fees, follow these steps:
Use the app map to locate valid drop-off hubs for your bike.
Ride to a listed hub; the "End Ride" button will turn green when you are at a valid hub.
Follow the in-app steps to lock the bike and properly end the ride at the hub.
Avoid ending a rental with the intention of retrieving the bike later, as this will trigger a fee.
⚖️ Fines & Third-Party Harm
If a bike is parked illegally (e.g., blocking a sidewalk or in a prohibited zone):
Public Authorities: If the city removes the bike or fines Donkey Republic for your parking, that cost can be passed directly to you.
City-Specific Regulations: In cities like Amsterdam, bikes left outside designated zones cannot be re-rented until relocated.