Using Warsaw's public bike share system has improved how I experience the city.

As a foreigner people often ask me what’s my favorite thing about Poland and Warsaw specifically. Since I’m a fan of public transportation and the type of person that could never own a car unless is to live in it, one of the things I often mention is that I love how well-connected and walkable the city is. Everything just feels nearby and accessible.

So it was kind of a bummer when I couldn’t use Warsaw’s Public Bike-sharing system because the city’s app requires iOS 16 and my iPhone is stuck on iOS 15.8. But recently I discovered that the nextbike app integrates perfectly with the system and it actually runs on my phone.

I’ve been moving around using the bike-sharing system. I love it. It’s convenient, green and more importantly cheap. The first 20 minutes of every ride are free and since stations are everywhere, one can basically ride for free. The maximum I’ve paid for a ride so far is 1 złoty. That’s like 25 cents ($ or €).

I also love that unlike all those electric vehicle rental services there are designated stations and these bikes are rarely (haven’t seen the first one yet) left by users on sidewalks cluttering the pedestrian’s space. I realize now this might sound like an ad. It isn’t. I’m over the moon because my Warsaw experience just got even better.

I actually haven’t tried any of the electric bikes, but the regular ones already feel like an upgrade on the little iron horse a friend lent me and I was riding before.