Sevici: Seville’s municipal bike rental

Transport

Sevici is a bicycle rental program operated by the Seville City Hall (Ayuntamiento). It offers thousands of 3-speed unisex bikes at 250+ stations or service points scattered around the city.

It’s a great service because you can pick up a bike at any Sevici station and return it at any other.

You can have a look at a map of Seville’s bike paths network and stations. Alternatively, you can also check an updated map with the current situation at each Sevici parking station.

Fortunately, you can rent Sevici bicycles using any credit card. At least that’s what my readers confirm me.
Alternatively, you can go to a bike rental shop and hire one.

How are the Sevici bikes?

The bicycles are unisex, so you can use them regardless of your size and height (the seat height is adjustable).

All have a very easy gear change, although you will probably not need to use it in Seville since the city is completely flat. And they also have a large capacity front basket.

The main drawback is that the bikes are quite heavy, and because so many people use them every day, some of them might not be in perfect shape. Check the seat, tires and breaks of the bike you’ve selected before actually paying for it and unlocking it.

How does a Sevici parking station looks like?

Each station has a System Access Terminal and several bike docks.

The number of docks depends on the location, the surroundings and the frequency of use of every station. Use the dock to either lock or unlock a bicycle.

At the System Access Terminal you can carry out several tasks.

Select and rent a bike.
Purchase a Daily or Short Term Pass.
Get a printed receipt with your chosen route.
Check on a map the closest taking or returning posts.
Top up your Sevici credit with your credit card.

You don’t understand Spanish? No problem. Each terminal offers you on-screen instructions in several languages.

Alternatively, you can do everything on your smartphone after downloading the Sevici app (iOS or Android).

Taking a bike

You always need to carry the subscription card.

First, identify yourself by placing the card next to the card reader. If you see it doesn’t work or doesn’t recognize it, you can always enter your subscription code manually. Then, confirm you are the card holder entering your PIN code.

Once you access the “Select a bike” menu, pick one. You have 1 minute to go to the dock and unlock the bike.

And now… Start pedaling!

Returning a bike

Once you are at the station and you are done with your bike, go to an empty dock. Place it correctly, you’ll see a light flashing and you’ll hear a ‘bip’ confirming that the bike has been returned.

But make sure that you have followed the procedure correctly! Sometimes the traffic prevents you from hearing anything, especially the ‘bip’. So check twice that you have locked it correctly at the dock or bike post. Otherwise, the system will not register it and it will assume that you are still using the bike… charging you an additional fee and even a penalty!

You’ll be required to supply credit-card information before taking a bike so charging you these fees and penalties is pretty easy.

If you want to return a bike and the Parking Station is full, hold your user card in front of the card reader. The system will recognize it automatically and you will have 15 free extra minutes to find the nearest Station.

Use the System Access Terminal to locate the nearest Stations and also their availability (number of bikes and available bike posts).

Sevici short term subscription

You have 2 short term options:

Daily Pass.
Short Term Pass.

Have a look at the Sevici website to check the official fares.

Daily Pass

This subscription lasts for 24 consecutive hours and you have unlimited journeys, with the first 30 minutes free.

Short Term Pass

This subscription lasts for 7 consecutive days and you have unlimited access to the bicycles. There is registration fee that you have to pay with your credit card. At the end of the period, a new registration fee will be charged to your card if you want to renew it.

Sevici long term subscription

If you plan to stay for a while in Seville you should sign up for a Long Term Pass. It lasts 1 year (ie. 365 consecutive days) and you have unlimited bike rentals for this period.

To register you need to pay a registration fee. This fee will be charged to your credit card at the beginning of each year if you decide to renew your subscription.

The Long Term Pass doesn’t require a deposit.

Have a look at the Sevici website to check the long term subscription official fares.

This article is part of a complete tutorial about exploring Seville on bike where you can read all the information you need to enjoy the city on a bicycle.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. Cycling in Seville: should you walk instead?
2. Riding a bike: Seville rules and recommendations
3. 7 cycling tips to safely ride around Seville
4. Sevici: Seville’s municipal bike rental
5. The best bike rental Sevilla shops
6. The best Seville bike tours