Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.
May Day weekend bike rides planned in Toruń
The Toruń City Bike will be launched on May 1, 2025. Toruń residents and tourists will have access to 385 bikes and 70 bike stations. The operator is the ROOVEE and Orange Polska consortium, which has announced its full readiness to launch the system.
Official website of the city bike in Toruń
- Thanks to our partners, we cordially invite you to use the Toruń City Bike from May 1st - said the mayor of Toruń, Paweł Gulewski. - These are 385 modern bikes. We will have 365 traditional bikes, but of the fourth generation, 20 electric bikes and 5 cargo bikes for transporting additional luggage. We will have more in Toruń than before, as many as 70 stations. In addition to traditional stands, it will also be possible to leave a bike near the station, within GPS range.
Already on the long May weekend we will be able to use a city bike. This season Toruń focuses on innovation and the natural environment. That is why the following will appear on the streets:
- 360 standard bikes - thanks to comprehensive technical preparation and additional functions, it is a new quality and travel comfort
- 20 new electric bikes available in a long-term rental model
- 5 modified electric cargo bikes - a modern solution for transporting larger loads.
The bikes will be available at 70 stations located throughout the city (last season there were 50). The stations will have stands with an information totem, all in colors consistent with the visual identification of Toruń. All bikes are equipped with modern technological solutions, including LOCK locks with GPS and NFC modules, solar panels powering the system, and LED lighting.
You keep things tidy - you collect bonuses
Bikes can be rented using the app, the website, and via text message. Additionally, thanks to a reward system, residents will be rewarded for returning bikes at designated locations.
– We designed our solution so that every stage of the rental is as simple as possible – from installing the application, through scanning the QR code, to returning the bike. Our bikes undergo a thorough technical inspection, and modern locks and monitoring systems ensure the highest quality and safety – emphasizes Przemysław Sytek, president of ROOVEE.
Toruń standard bikes are modern, ecological two-wheelers. They are used, but they have been properly prepared technically and equipped with new functions. The goal is not only to quickly launch the system, but also to improve the comfort, safety and satisfaction of residents from using a city bike.
– Orange combines smart city technologies with care for the environment. Thanks to this, the bicycle system in Toruń fits into the strategy of sustainable mobility, offering residents and tourists a flexible, emission-free means of transport. I am glad that Toruń has joined over 150 cities where Orange provides smart city solutions, because life in modern cities is simply better – emphasizes Małgorzata Ciechomska-Sołtyk, Smart City Director at Orange Polska SA.
In 2024 alone, 4,000 city bikes from ROOVEE and Orange hit the streets of 30 Polish cities, such as Szczecin, Gniezno, Kielce, and Zielona Góra. In total, users rode them over 3 million kilometers, a distance equal to driving around the Earth's equator over 75 times.
More information available at http://torun.bike/
Three simple ways to rent a Toruń City Bike
Through the application
- Download the multilingual ROOVEE app from the App Store, Google Play or AppGallery and create an account;
- Accept the terms and conditions and top up your account with the required amount,
- Scan the QR code on the lock above the rear wheel and ride.
Via the website
- Create an account on my.roovee.eu, accept the regulations and top up your account.
- Rent a bike through the Customer Service Office by calling 22 300 5119 and providing your TELEKOD.
By SMS
- Create an account on my.roovee.eu, accept the regulations, top up your account and remember the TELEKOD.
- Start the ride by sending an SMS to 500 70 70 70 with the following text:
start BIKE_NUMBER of the bike you want to rent. The bike number is located on the rear wheel lock next to the QR code.
Safety and comfort
Full control over finances
The funds accumulated in the account for servicing the city bike can be withdrawn by the user at any time. They are fully accessible and are not subject to locks or time limits. It is done easily and without additional fees. Thanks to this, cyclists have full control over their money.
Automatic refund of unused funds
For the convenience and safety of our users, we have introduced an automatic refund function for unused funds. If the funds are not used within 180 days of making a deposit, the system will automatically return them to the account from which they were deposited.
News and amenities
The real novelty in this year's version of the system will be 20 electric bikes available in the long-term rental model - each of them will be equipped with disc brakes, LED lighting, u-lock, advanced GPS tracker and full integration with the ROOVEE platform.
Basic rules for cyclists
A cyclist is obliged to use:
- Cycle paths, pedestrian and cycle paths or cycle lanes, if designated for the direction in which you are travelling or intend to turn.
- Roadsides (if there is no cycle path or pedestrian or cycle path).
- Roadway – as close to the right edge as possible - if there is no cycle path, pedestrian and cycle path, cycle lane, roadside or if the roadside is not suitable for driving or the movement of a bicycle would impede pedestrian traffic.
Pedestrian paths – use permitted conditionally, only in the following cases:
- The cyclist is taking care of a person up to 10 years of age riding a bicycle (a child up to 10 years of age riding a bicycle under the care of an adult uses the pedestrian path on the same terms as a pedestrian),
- The permitted speed of vehicles on the roadway is greater than 50 km/h, and the width of the pavement next to the roadway is at least 2 m and there is no cycle path, pedestrian and bicycle path or bicycle lane,
- Weather conditions threaten the safety of the cyclist on the roadway (snow, strong wind, heavy rain, black ice, thick fog).
A cyclist using a pedestrian path is obliged to ride at a speed close to that of a pedestrian, exercise particular caution, give way to pedestrians and not impede their movement.
- A cyclist using a pedestrian and bicycle path is obliged to exercise particular caution and give way to pedestrians.
A cyclist may ride on the left side of the road (including on the hard shoulder located on the left side of the road) if he or she is taking care of a cyclist under 10 years of age.
A child up to 7 years of age may be transported on a bicycle provided that it is placed on an additional saddle ensuring safe riding.
A cyclist is prohibited from riding without having at least one hand on the handlebars and feet on the pedals.
The driver of a vehicle is obliged to signal in advance and clearly with the indicator the intention to change the direction of travel or lane and to stop signaling immediately after performing the maneuver. If the vehicle is not equipped with indicators, the driver of the vehicle is obliged to signal in advance and clearly the intention to change the direction of travel or lane by extending a hand in the direction of the intended change of direction or lane.
Riding on the road as a cyclist next to another bicycle or moped is permitted in exceptional cases, provided that this does not hinder other road users or otherwise endanger road safety.
A cyclist is prohibited from using a telephone that requires holding the receiver or microphone in the hand while riding.
A cyclist may cross a pedestrian crossing only as a pedestrian leading a bicycle.
A cyclist may overtake slowly moving vehicles other than a bicycle on their right.
When riding in an organized column of cyclists, remember that the maximum number of bicycles riding in the column cannot exceed 15. The distance between columns cannot be less than 200 meters.
Public transport schedule announced for long weekend in Toruń
During the long May weekend, public transport in Toruń will operate differently. Below we publish the changes:
May 1 and 3, 2025 (Thursday and Saturday)
Tram and bus traffic limited:
- trams no. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and buses no. 19, 29, 32, 44, 113, 121, 122 and 131 will run according to holiday timetables,
- Buses no. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 38, 40, 111 and 115 will run according to the Sunday timetables,
- From Thursday to Friday to Saturday to Sunday, the night bus line N92 runs.
May 2, 2025 (Friday)
Tram and bus traffic according to the timetables valid on Saturdays:
- Additionally, there are buses no. 16 and 17,
- Buses of line no. 24 run.
May 4, 2025 (Sunday)
Tram and bus traffic according to Sunday timetables.
Free retro-style rides offered in Toruń
We would like to remind you that this coming Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Municipal Transport Company in Toruń invites you to take a free ride on the tourist tram. The tram will run on the route University - al. Solidarności.
The tourist tram is a real gem. It was manufactured in 1960. For years it carried passengers around Toruń as a regular scheduled tram at that time. As new rolling stock arrived it was withdrawn from regular service, but in 1993 it underwent a thorough modernization and from time to time it goes on the route. This will be the case on May Day.
Rides on the tourist tram are free, but for passenger safety reasons, the number of seats is limited!
We remind you that our tourist tram can be rented for a fee for rides, e.g. for schools, workplaces, special events, advertising events. You can also decorate it with an advertisement of your company and in an unusual, unconventional way recommend your services, products, etc. An interesting fact is that a few years ago a wedding took place in our monument!
Bolesławiec to celebrate Firefighters' Day; event program announced
Organizers: – Be with us on this day – we are waiting for you with many attractions and firefighter hospitality!
Senior Brigadier Andrzej Śliwowski, District Commander of the State Fire Service in Bolesławiec, and dh Stanisław Żółtański, President of the Board of the District Branch of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Republic of Poland in Bolesławiec, cordially invite all residents of the Bolesławiec district to a special event on the occasion of Firefighter Day.
Program
May 4, 2025
- 12:30 p.m. – Holy Mass for firefighters in the Minor Basilica in Bolesławiec
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – the premises of the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Bolesławiec (ul. Wesoła)
- first aid demonstrations,
- presentation of rescue and fire-fighting equipment from JRG Bolesławiec and OSP units from the Bolesławiec district,
- fun as part of the “Sensor guarding your safety” program.
In addition:
- 3:00 p.m. – dynamic technical rescue show,
- 4:00 p.m. – drawing of smoke detectors and seedlings donated by event partners.
New recreation and cycling skills park under construction in Bolesławiec
A new place for recreation and improving cycling skills is being created at Piastów Street, in a place previously used by cyclists. There is an XC route here that requires corrections, and these corrections are being made as part of this task.
In the Bolesławiec Bike Park of Skills, existing paths are being supplemented with new elements of technical obstacles and a new recreational and off-road cycling track is being built, with a total length of approximately 4 km.
It is worth recalling that the project provides for the creation of three levels of difficulty for bike paths: easy, intermediate and advanced, which will allow both beginners and more experienced cyclists to use them. Importantly, the simplest path will also be accessible to people in wheelchairs. The park will feature a variety of technical obstacles. These include, among others, moving ramps, logs, pump & jump, as well as various types of ramps and bridges. The set of obstacles for the bike path will include elements for creating an interesting and demanding route:
- Moving ramp - a moving element resembling a swing that changes its inclination, which requires good technique and a sense of balance from the cyclist.
- Bunny hop pro - a zone for performing jumps while lifting the front wheel, ideal for perfecting bike jumping techniques and overcoming unexpected obstacles in the terrain.
- Logs + stones - a line of passage with natural obstacles that requires precise bike control.
- Pump & jump – also known as rollers or moguls, these are elements for pumping and jumping that allow you to gain speed without pedaling over a short distance.
- Small drop - a low drop, ideal for beginners, which teaches safe landing.
- Double drop - a more advanced version with two drops, requiring more confidence.
- Mini wooden and stone drops - variety in the form of small jumps made of wood and stones.
- Gangway - a turn with a great height that allows driving at high speed.
- North shore - wooden elements in the structure of elevated footbridges and platforms that pose a challenge for technical skills, including motor coordination.
- Log climb - a climb made of logs that requires precise maneuvering as well as technical and strength skills.
Driveway + stones - a combination of a driveway with stone obstacles, which increases the level of difficulty.
Rock garden - a section with large stones that requires maintaining balance and precise bike control while descending.
Table - an obstacle in the form of a jump, a flat platform and a descending part, which can be used for various tricks. Anyone can ride it slowly, and people riding faster can learn safe jumps and safe landings
Bridge - a passage over the path in the form of a bridge that requires enormous concentration and balance, ideal for technical exercises.
Thanks to these elements, the track will be diverse and will allow riders to develop their skills in various aspects of cycling. In addition, the project also includes the construction of a shelter.
Construction work will last until the end of May 2025. Until the investment is completed, please do not enter the designated routes, the running track or the area fenced off with tapes. Driving off the designated bicycle routes and entering the construction site is prohibited for safety reasons. We encourage you to use the remaining part of the forest, where no work is being carried out.
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