If your station is empty, look for a nearby station with bikes. If it’s full on arrival, look for an authorized return spot with free docks. In both cases, check the network app and any specific procedures before acting.
The issue at departure is access to a bike. At arrival it also concerns a rental that may remain active until its closure is confirmed.
Empty station: find another starting point
Refresh availability and open the details of nearby stations. Check the bike type: several mechanical bikes won’t solve your need if you specifically require electric assistance.
Compare the actual walking time to alternatives. A station that’s close as the crow flies may be behind a barrier or on the other side of a bridge. If your departure is urgent, also compare walking time and nearby public transport.
To prepare this search, consult how to find a self-service bike near you.
A bike nearby? Try our map.
Explore the mobilities listed around Bordeaux, or enter a city to search near you.
Full station: look for another return location
Look for a station showing free docks. Identify a second option if availability looks low.
Keep your final destination in mind. A free dock that forces you to take a long walk afterward may be less convenient than another station slightly farther by bike.
Do not leave the bike next to a full station assuming the ride is over. Returns must comply with the service conditions.
Check network-specific solutions
Some operators offer a special procedure for a saturated station. It may depend on the station, the bike, or an action to perform in the app.
If a special return procedure is offered when a station is full, check its conditions before using it. It does not apply automatically to all stations.
A full station does not automatically entitle you to extra minutes. Check whether this option exists and its conditions, rather than assuming it does.
Confirming the end of the rental
When you have returned the bike, wait for the network’s expected signal or message. Check the trip status if the app allows it.
If the rental remains active despite a valid return, contact support. Note the bike identifier, the station, the time and the message observed. These elements describe the situation concretely without forcing you to reconstruct the trip later.
You can find the main steps in how the self-service bike works.
Anticipate availability at arrival
Before you leave, choose a destination station and a nearby alternative. If you are arriving for an appointment, add the time needed to lock the bike and reach the building entrance.
Fictitious example: you plan a station in front of your destination, but a second one a few streets away offers a fallback. Spotting both before you ride prevents discovering the neighborhood while the rental continues.
ROOTE allows you to explore the mobility information available in covered areas. For returns and rental incidents, always follow the instructions of the network concerned.
Frequently asked questions
Can I return the bike to any station?
Check that it belongs to the correct network and accepts the vehicle used. A station from another operator is not automatically suitable.
Are extra minutes free if the station is full?
Only if the service provides for it and you follow its procedure.
What if bikes are visible but unavailable?
They may be locked or withdrawn from hire. Check with the operator and look for a vehicle listed as usable.