The Californian start-up Lime will introduce its electric scooters to Budapest, as reported by forbes.hu.
“Innovation and micromobility will offer tangible benefits for Budapest’s residents” – Lime’s International Communications Director Paloma Castro Martinez told attendees at the Smart X Conference in Budapest. Lime’s mission is to provide quick, simple and sustainable alternatives to getting around the city. Their electric scooters alleviate congestion pressures, reduce air pollution, and ease parking difficulties in the cities they operate in.
“We will soon join Budapest’s excellent ‘Cities for the People’ initiative. As a part of it – on trial for the time being – we will launch our electric scooter service to make the lives of the city’s residents easier” said Castro Martinez.
At the moment the company is negotiating with city authorities to make sure Lime is compliant with local regulations. Castro Martinez also said at the conference:
“I hope that this time next year we will see many people using e-scooters to get around Budapest and I wish for our service to be an integral part of this dynamic city.”
Lime’s e-scooters are present in over 100 cities and they are equipped with GPS and an automatic locking system. Users can download the Lime app from both the Apple Store and Google Play, which can be used to find the closest vacant e-scooter and then unlock them.
The biggest advantage of the service is that it does not rely on a docking station, meaning users can pick-up and drop-off the e-scooters wherever they want. The Lime e-scooters are capable of speeds of up to 25km/h and work with rechargeable batteries. Lime has a local team to maintain their product – they collect the e-scooters at night and recharge them to be ready for use in the morning.
Since its launch in 2017, Lime has been an integral part of European cities from Warsaw to Vienna and from Zürich to Berlin. So far across 5 continents – including 20 countries in Europe – 26 million Lime trips have been made. The start-ups headquarters is in California and this February it received a $310 million investment. In total it has received $756 million in investments, including from venture capitalist Andreessen Horowitz.
In addition to two electric car services (Greengo, Mol Limo) and a bike initiative (Mol Bubi), Budapest also boasts an electric motorbike service (Blinkee) too.
Last year we wrote an article on the best bicycle routes around the Budapest region. We have also reported on the Budapest cycle map released last year. Maybe use it to get around the city with the new e-scooter?
Featured image: https://www.facebook.com/limebike.
An American transportation company’s fantastic scooter sharing service might appear in the Hungarian capital city. The news of launching the service is not official yet, but there were 2 Lime scooters seen in front of a house in Buda.
According to g7.hu’s information, scooters by American company Lime might be soon appearing in the streets of Budapest, since two scooters were left on the streets in front of a house. G7.hu attended to reach Lime’s European Head Office. What they found out was that the company aims to expand its service in Europe. However, there is no official information about the company’s Budapest launch yet. For those interested in an electric scooter guide, refer to ScooterAdviser. They review a few of the best scooter brands and models on the market today.
The company originates from San Francisco, where it was started exactly 2 years ago, by the company Neutron Holdings Inc. In a short time, it got successful in numerous other American cities, in New Zealand and Australia, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and in 23 European countries. The original services were a typical bike sharing service, then electric bike, and now electric scooter. Since Budapest is already operating Donkey Republic, MOL Bubi bikes and MOL electronic car sharing, there would be no more need for bikes, but for scooters: yes.
Scooters can go up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) for 60 km (37 miles). In the United States, to unlock a scooter you pay $1 and for every minute of use 15 cents.
There are no parking spots for the scooters like for MOL Bubi bicycles, therefore it was a huge problem in the city of San Francisco that most of the users left the scooters on the streets. The city halls of San Francisco and Berlin demanded scooter parking-place regulations in the city. Instead, the company pays commission to people, who pick up unused scooters and charge them up at charging points.
BKK, the Centre for Budapest Transport is now launching a new bicycle route map that covers all of the routes accessible by bike in the capital, as Index.hu reports.
The Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK) has initiated the new cycling map as part of the project of making Budapest a cycling city. The strategic views of BKK include promoting a nature-friendly way of public transport, the advantages of financial sustainability and new routes in the city. The popular MOL Bubi public rental bicycles have also been launched following this mindset.
Finally, BKK published a brand new bicycle map that covers all of the routes that bikers can use in Budapest. The new features besides the map especially come in handy when planning a new route or trip with the BKK Trip Planner function. The map and the route planning features are available here.
This is an example of how the bicycle route planner works in real-life:
Photo: http://futar.bkk.hu/trip-plan/
BKK prepared the map for both experienced and beginner bikers, which means it perfectly suits newcomers, such as tourists, too.
Some of the extra features include the main channels of bicycle routes, the routes with less car traffic that can be startling for newbies, one-way streets and other means of public transport that can be used for transporting bicycles.
The first side of the map shows the whole city, while the other side has a more detailed map to offer with the city center in focus.
Go and get your copy at one of the BKK Customer Service points, ticket offices or the central office of the Hungarian Cycling Club.
A record number of municipalities have registered to join the EU’s European Mobility Week to be held next month, an official of the innovation and technology ministry said yesterday.
A total of 262 organisations have registered online and 233 have applied for domestic funding for programmes to be held during the event, State Secretary Balázs Weingartner told public news channel M1.
Most of the municipalities will organise community programmes including sporting events with a focus on families, he said.
European Mobility Week, a European Commission initiative, is held each year between September 16 and 22. It aims to encourage local authorities to introduce and promote sustainable forms of transport and call public attention to alternative transport options.
As we wrote last year, Hungary’s more than 200 localities have joined the European Mobility Week 2017, held between September 16 and 22, read more HERE.
During the renovation of the M3 metro in Budapest, a lot more people are using rental bicycles known as MOL Bubi, according to Wednesday’s Világgazdaság.
The number of bicycles rented out in the period between November and April rose by 18.8 percent to 119,000 compared with the same period last year, the company that operates the rentals told the business paper.
This data confirms expectations before the metro refurbishment began that
many commuters would choose to use the bikes, which are available for rent at designated points on the street.
Last year, MOL Bubi revenue amounted to 62.4 million forints (EUR 190,000) and by April this year it came to 10.3 million.
We all love Budapest, but sometimes we also need to get out of the city, hop on a bicycle and spend some time outside. There are many routes to choose from; you can go on a day-trip and ride for about 30 km with frequent stops, throw in some sightseeing and have lunch on the way back. Or you can bike for just an hour or so, inside the city, maybe on the river bank to work on your stamina for longer trips. Check out these bike trips HERE.
Sándor Karvai proves that nothing is impossible, but you have to work for it. He already has 3 Guinness records but is always looking for more challenges, szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu reports.
Many think that those who cannot see, spend their life holed up in their room. Blind people crave adventures just like everyone else and they can and will do things we never thought possible.
Blind people can live an active social life too. They can go to parties, to the theatre, to concerts and thanks to modern technologies they can use computers and the internet.
[button link=”#https://dailynewshungary.com/hungarian-invention-gives-back-the-joy-of-reading-to-the-blind/” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Hungarian invention gives back the joy of reading to the blind[/button]
Sándor Karvai is unique even among the active blind. He takes such joy in life and partakes in such adventures that are rare even among those who can see and are completely healthy.
Not that long ago he was driving an electric car for 3 kilometres on the north part of Lake Balaton. His maximum speed was around 45 km/h, but he was driving by himself, only receiving instructions through a phone. And this was not the first extraordinary thing he has done.
Who would you believe if not him, when he says that life is beautiful.
Sándor grew up in Nógrád county. He had many sighted friends who welcomed him and never let him miss out on anything interesting. “I could play hide-and-seek, hit-and-run or soccer just like everybody else. If the best thing I could do was to obstruct the players from the other team, it was already worth it.”
He is 43 years old now, but he still lives by his motto that he does not want to be left out of anything. He believes that every day is a gift and new opportunities are waiting for him.
He has been working at Főkefe-Kézmű-Erfo for a year and a half now. This company employs the most people with disabilities in the country. They make furniture, bags and stationaries. They try to work on the public perception of the disabled. Sándor is a great help in these matters. He visits schools and tells stories about people with disabilities, making it clear, that they can be a productive part of our society and they can live happy lives with lots of adventure. His experience shows that most children 10 years old and up are really open and interested in what he has to say.
The first time he realized that he was different was when he could not go to the same pre-school as his twin and his older brother. It was also hard knowing that his friends are learning how to ride a bicycle and he cannot do the same.
So he decided to learn how to ride. Balancing is done with the ears, so technically you do not have to see in order to ride a bike. His hearing also lets him know when he leaves the bicycle path and goes onto unpaved roads.
He also uses a kind of echolocation. By making clicking sounds and listening to their echoes, he can determine how far an object is.
After learning how to ride a bicycle, the next logical step is to learn how to ride a motorcycle. He found out that if he keeps his legs on the ground at first and gradually lets go of the clutch, the engine will not stall. His father’s Wartburg also looked pretty interesting to him. In fact, he is interested in most vehicles. He says that if he were sighted, for sure he would be a bus or truck driver.
Photo: www.facebook.com/pg/karvaisandor
So how did he manage those 3 Guinness records?
This all started 13 years ago when he tested a Lexus SUV and a small Peugeot for a TV show. There he met Barna Kőváry rally driver, who asked him to be his navigator. Together they won the Hungarian championship in 2009 in their category.
Meanwhile, he became friends with another rally driver, Gergő Borsi. With his help, Sándor got to ride a Kawasaki for a few hundred meters on the Hungaroring.
In 2012 he completed a full lap on the Hungaroring. No one has ever done anything like this before. His average speed was 35 km/h, his maximum speed was almost 50 km/h. This got him his first Guinness record. Of course, doing a full lap would be hard in ideal conditions, but luck was not on his side. They lost connection for a while and Sándor had to navigate a few turns without any help, relying on his memory.
Two years later he rode a jet ski for 1600 meters. This was his second Guinness record.
In 2015 he drove a luxury bus filled with reporters. He also tried out a tank.
The third Guinness record came when he drove an electric car on road 71. Many of his dreams have come true, but he still has some things on his bucket list. He wants to drive a truck and a train too.
He is always careful when he is driving, knowing how dangerous it can be. He can never forget that he needs to rely on others to keep him safe.
European Mobility Week, held each year between September 16 and 22, aims to encourage local authorities to introduce and promote sustainable forms of transport and call public attention to alternative transport options.
Budapest transport authority BKK will present its past achievements in the field, as well as already available and planned alternative forms of transport. A series of events will help to attract attention to the importance of a clean and livable city.
We all love Budapest, but sometimes we also need to get out of the city, hop on a bicycle and spend some time outside. There are many routes to choose from; you can go on a day-trip and ride for about 30 km with frequent stops, throw in some sightseeing and have lunch on the way back. Or you can bike for just an hour or so, inside the city, maybe on the river bank to work on your stamina for longer trips. Check out these bike trips from funzine.hu.
Along the Danube and on Margaret Island
If you are new to biking, this is the perfect route for you. You can ride your bike along the Danube bank and choose the route depending on your time and mood. There is a bicycle path between the Árpád Bridge and the Lágymányosi Bridge, and if you are up for it, you could take a detour onto Margaret Island. You could stop on the Island for a picnic, or to do some sightseeing. While you are riding on the river bank, you will have an excellent view of the Danube, the Parliament and the Gellért hill. This is a mostly flat route, so it is easy enough if you want to bring your kids with you.
Around Lake Velence (29 km)
Photo By Susulyka (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The town Velence is only an hour away from Budapest by train. Plan a day trip here, bring your bicycle, and spend a few hours outside and breathe the fresh air. There is a bike path all around the lake; it is 29 km long and easily doable in a few hours. If the distance is not enough, you could add a bit by visiting the Bence lookout tower, or if the weather is good, you could cool down by the beach and eat some fried fish.
The Danube Bend: Zebegény-Vác (27 km)
There are many options to choose from if you decide to ride your bike around the Danube Bend. We have a beautiful 57 km long bike trail between Szob and Dunakeszi, and the best part is, that it goes parallel to the railway on the north side of the river. If you get tired, just hop on a train to get back home. Perhaps the Zebegény-Vác route is the best to try at first because it is not very long, but it goes through a breath-taking countryside. Another plus is that both Zebegény and Vác are only about an hour long train ride away from Budapest.
Budapest – Szentendre (20 km)
dunakanyargo.hu
If you are planning to visit Szentendre, why not do it by bike? At least you will not have to worry about parking, and you can get some of your weekly exercise done. We suggest you start on the Buda side of Margaret Bridge. This is one of the most popular destinations among the cycling community, in part because it takes you through the Római Part area. You can stop here to have some snacks and to hydrate before going all the way to Szentendre. Do not forget to check out the tourist attractions here! If you are still full of energy, you can take the same bike path back to the capital or take the HÉV, rest a little on your way back, and start planning your next trip.
We have already shared a few tricks and tips for riding a bike in Budapest, and we also introduced the two most popular bike-sharing services in the capital: the Donkey Republic and MOL Bubi. This time, we decided to plan a whole day for you to explore Budapest on two wheels in one day.
Start: City Park
The perfect starting point is the city park. Before you hop on your bike, you can walk around the park, maybe even drink a glass of lemonade or fröccs at the popular ruin bar Kertem, which is basically like drinking in your own backyard.
Photo: Facebook.com/Kertem
There is both a MOL Bubi and a Donkey Republic bike station in the city park, so you can rent your vehicle for the day right then and there if you do not own one already. You can cycle around the park before heading off to the city.
Downtown sights
From the city park, start cycling in the direction of Hero Square, then ride along Andrássy Avenue. These are two main sights of Budapest right at the beginning. (If you feel like it, you can check out the House of Terror Museum on the way; however, that is quite a long detour.) Even though there is no separate bike path, a separate road goes parallel with Andrássy Avenue, where it is safe to bike, and you still get to enjoy everything the avenue has to offer.
You should turn right when you reach Bajza street, and ride straight towards the banks of the Danube. While you are approaching the banks, you will see quiet and calm streets that have a very Mediterranean vibe to them. This way, you get to see another side of Budapest in contrast with the busy Grand Boulevard. When you reach the so-called rakpart (quay), you can continue your journey on the bike path that goes along the river bank.
Pit stop at Margaret Island
When you reach Margaret Bridge, before turning right and having a pit stop at Margaret Island, stop at a grocery store to grab a beer or a cold drink for the island. In the island, lay down on the grass and chill for a while.
Margaret Bridge
Instagram spots
When you are ready and all chilled out, continue your bike ride on the Buda side of the river. Ride along felső rakpart (the upper quay), glance over the Parliament and all of the most beautiful bridges: Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge and Liberty Bridge. You can get the perfect shot of both the Parliament and the Chain Bridge from the Buda side.
Grab lunch downtown
Go on the Liberty Bridge and ride back to the Pest side. On the right side of the bridge, there is the Bálna Terasz which is the perfect place to grab a lemonade. From there, ride on the Small Boulevard to see all of downtown Budapest: Kálvin square, Astoria, Károly Boulevard (check out the synagogue) and Deák square.
This is also the time to grab something to eat. There are numerous fabulous places downtown depending on what you are in the mood for. If you want something quick and cheap, we recently wrote about all the places where you can grab lunch for a thousand forints. If you would prefer to try a new place, we also wrote about the new restaurants to try in May. I would definitely recommend Budapest Bagel and Istvánffi Veggie Burger on Kálvin square, and Pizza Me and The Donut Library on Károly Boulevard.
Photo: Facebook.com/budapestbagel/
To finish your trip, you can just relax and chat with your friends around Akvárium Klub at Erzsébet square, which is the most popular and most well-known meet-up place in the city. Once you are there, you can start discussing your evening plans.
Cycling in Budapest is a pleasant, healthy and environment-friendly way to explore the city. Riding a bike will bring the vibes of the city closer, it almost feels like you actually “breath with the city”. However, while cycling in Budapest is a fast and cheap way to get around, sometimes it can be dangerous. Here are 5 tips and tricks that help you to get from A to B safe and sound.
Make sure that your bicycle is in a good condition
Check the pressure of your tires and test your breaks. Make sure that the saddle and the handlebar of your bike are in good position for your height. Test the lights; you will need them if you ride a bike at night. Make sure you have safety lenses on your bike, they are obligatory according to Hungarian law.
Wear a helmet
However, wearing a helmet in the city is not obligatory for bike riders, according to Hungarian law, it is highly recommended. Carrying a helmet around all day long is uncomfortable, but it can save your life.
Plan your route beforehand
Unfortunately, in Budapest there are not many bicycle routes, in most cases, bike riders must share the streets with cars and public transport vehicles. Therefore, you must be aware of your course. Otherwise, accidents may easily occur. You can find several maps for bikers online, which provide detailed information about your possible routes.
Stay alert
Always make sure that you use hand signals to indicate which direction you will turn. Through those little gestures, all participants of traffic will know of your intention. One of the most important things: do not listen to music while you ride a bike. Not even with one earplug. You are part of the traffic; you must be a 100% alert. Also, try to be out of door opening distance from parking cars, and pay attention to traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
Park your bike safely
As Budapest is a big city, it is a great target of thieves. Buy a safe lock for your bike and use it in every single case. Do not leave your bike alone in the streets for even a moment. Always lock your bike to stable objects. Never forget to lock your tire and frame together. Otherwise, thieves will be able to have access to your bike.
Without a doubt, many people long for getting out into nature when summer sets in and a great way of exploring our natural beauties is on two wheels. If you feel that the itinerary of the Lake Balaton round trip is too hard for you and you are not prepared enough for cycling 200 km during this trip discussed here, you might get into the mood for a Lake Fertő trip on two wheels. It is easier to accomplish and provides as many unforgettable experiences like the one around Lake Balaton.
What distinguishes the Lake Fertő round trip from the one around Lake Balaton? Firstly, the fact that it is much shorter, only 135 km long, out of which the Hungarian part constitutes of 38 km, given that the third-quarter of the territory of the lake belongs to Austria. Secondly, unlike the Lake Balaton round trip during which cyclists have to ride on main roads and cross busy traffic intersections in some settlements, this cycling path literally runs in nature where we can understand why Lake Fertő earned a place on the World Heritage list of UNESCO in 2001, reports Freeminimaps.com.
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Furthermore, while the quality of the Balaton Bike Ring is not always irreproachable, that of the cycling path around Lake Fertő is absolutely impeccable. As Origo.hu reports, the path is not overgrown with plants, there are no potholes, and the route is well-signposted, which also shows how seriously Austrians take cycle tourism.
Therefore, the Lake Fertő track is easier to cover and it takes only 8-9 hours for experienced cyclists to complete.
However, it might be worth riding slower and making a few stops when necessary also visiting well-known sights and monuments in the small settlements. In order to get out the most of your trip, a few useful tips and practical information are collected here that remove the burden from your shoulder when planning it.
Getting to Lake Fertő from Budapest
Concerning the place of departure of the journey, it is advisable to choose a Hungarian settlement and thus start on the Hungarian side. However, there is no agreement in guidebooks concerning the ideal starting point. Some sources mention Fertőd, but the only problem with this town is that you have to change trains at least once if you want to travel by using public transportation.
In contrast, trains go directly from Budapest to Sopron from which Fertőrákos, a town part of the cycling track and thus ideal for starting, is not far at all. However, do not forget to check in advance whether the train by which you want to travel is eligible for transporting bicycles in order to avoid embarrassing situations already at the very beginning of your journey.
One more thing to keep in mind: you need to pay a special fee for transporting bikes which is 235 Ft (0.8 euros) under 50 km. If you travel more than 50 km, which is the case with the Budapest-Sopron distance, then the price varies based on kilometre zones. Instead of transporting your own bike, which can be sometimes troublesome, you can also rent one in almost all settlements located along the Austrian-Hungarian border.
Itinerary and stations
Let’s start our journey in Fertőrákos, which is a short ride from Sopron. It is worth a visit on its own since, in the open-air museum of the Stone Quarry, you can really feel that history comes alive.
Leaving this town, continue your journey towards Mörbisch am See (Fertőmeggyes). On the way, a short stop at the Mithras Cave, the underground temple honouring Mithras, can be interposed just to stretch your muscles.
Meanwhile, if you suddenly realise that this trip is not for you and you are not prepared enough, then you can cut down the track by crossing the lake by ferry. Ferries operate between Mörbisch and Illmitz from the beginning of May to the end of October, so feel free to try them out. 🙂
/facebook/Fertő-tavi Hajózási Kft./
If, however, you continue the track, sooner or later, you will arrive in Rust, the town reputable for its wine and historical monuments. Then, head for Neusiedl am See, which is located at the northern part of the lake, 50 km away from Fertőrákos. In fact, if you are there, you can be rightly proud of yourself having accomplished half of the track. Leaving this town the cycling path will lead you towards Podersdorf and the Fertő-Hanság National Park which is absolutely fantastic being the wetland habitat of hundreds of birds.
/facebook/Fertőtekergő/
While approaching the end of the track, do not forget to stop in Fertőd to visit the famous Esterházy castle where Haydn composed several of his most well-known pieces. Finally, if you have the time and energy, end the tour either in the bath of Hegykő or that of Balf, one of the most favourite recreational spots of Hungarians, where you can relax and stretch your muscles in the medicinal waters. This is where the cycling trip ends roaming around Lake Fertő.
Further practical advice
If you plan a 1-day-trip, then there is no need for booking accommodation. If you feel tired during the trip, stop at a resting place specifically designed for cyclists that can be found in every bigger town. Some of them even have a roof in case the weather changes all of a sudden.
However, if you divide the trip into two 60-60 km parts, then, from low budget accommodation to 4-star hotels, there are many possibilities available for tired cyclists. Members of the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club can even book accommodation with discounts.
Bike repair stations are also abundant in both countries along the border, so there is nothing to worry about in case an unexpected incident happens. There are altogether 79 recorded stations according to the website of Burgenland.info where you can also check them out before the trip.
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We hope that your cycling tour around Lake Fertőd will go smoothly after keeping in mind all the practical information collected here. Have fun and enjoy the natural beauties surrounding us 🙂
Have you ever thought about taking a cycling trip around Lake Balaton, but you still hesitate to go ahead being terrified of the amount of preparation required for such a trip? Then you should absolutely read this article in which all the necessary information is collected from the means of transportation used to reach the lake from Budapest, through the itinerary, to the budget accommodation opportunities and bicycle repair stations just in case one is needed. Collect some pieces of practical information to get out the most of a short trip around the Hungarian Sea.
As Funiq.hu reports, more than 200 km and an unforgettable experience await those who decide to go ahead and take the cycling trip around Lake Balaton. Some sportspeople push their limits by attempting to cycle it around only within a few hours while others take the trip with their family members at a slower pace with the aim of having fun and relaxing on the beach at the end of each day.
This is why the Balaton Bike Ring enjoys such a great popularity among Hungarians and foreigners alike, since everybody can try it out at least once in a lifetime, no matter what their motivation is.
Besides the scenic view and the fantastic little settlements located around the lake, another important factor encouraging cyclists to take the trip is that this vacation can be a last-minute and, at the same time, a low-cost trip. In order to get out the most of the budget-friendly holiday, a few awesome tips are collected here which facilitate the preparation and make the trip less stressful.
The 1st arising problem tourists might face when planning the cycling trip is getting to the lake from the capital. Although a direct Budapest-Balatoncycle trail has been being constructed according to 24.hu, based on previous estimations, the trail is going to be inaugurated only in the summer of 2019. In fact, this trail will be worth a trip on its own, since it is going to be approximately 110 km long.
If you do not want to travel to Lake Balaton by car, the best way to get there is by train. Special discounts are available in Hungary for pensioners, students, youngsters below 26, families with 3 or more children and disabled people, so you can save money if you have your identity cards with you that entitle you for the discounts.
For transporting bicycles, a special fee has to be payed, the price of which depends on the distance you aim to cover by train.
If we take the Budapest-Balaton distanceas mentioned above (110 km) as an example, then the fee will be almost 400 Ft (1.3 euros). It sounds a low-cost vacation so far, doesn’t it? 🙂
How to start the Balaton Bike Ring trip?
The length of the trip is altogether 205 km, and cyclists have two options at their disposal: to start the trip on the south coast or the north coast. But does it really matter where to start? In fact, it does. While the north coast is considered to be more difficult because of the hillside routes and the varying altitude, the south and west coasts are completely flat. Therefore, if you decide to start with the more difficult northern one, then you will know for sure that the worst part is already over. 🙂
The northern coast, with the Badacsony Mountain in the background/facebook/Balatoni kerékpárút/
You might also be wondering about where to start the trip. There is no good or bad answer to it since you can start in any settlement around the lake, although the zero kilometre stone of the bike ring is in Balatonalmádi. It is difficult to tell how many days an average person needs to cover the distance, but 3-4 days seem to be ideal and feasible with around 50-70 km to cycle each day.
Itinerary and stations
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Let’s say a few words about the settlements visited during the trip. Starting from Balatonalmádi, it is worth heading for the west in the direction of Alsóörs. This town is well-known for its great beach right next to which is the Tourinform office where you can ask for some help if you already feel lost. The next bigger station is Csopak where child-friendly programmes can be organised on the playground or in the barefoot park.
While being in Balatonfüred, do not forget to slow down at the Tagora promenade, which is the perfect place for a peaceful walk in order to stretch your muscles after the monotonous cycling.
Leaving Balatonfüred, an amazing panorama will unfold before your eyes overlooking the Tihany peninsula and its vicinity. Follow the well-signposted route towards Balatonakali and Zánka where you have to cross the railroad to continue your journey on the cycle path. Arriving in Révfülöp, you can stop for some time at the ruins of the Fülöp Church or in the city centre to purchase some refreshments.
Leaving this settlement, you will arrive in Balatonrendes that is the only settlement where you need to ride on the main road since the cycle path continues only at the end of the town.
Then comes Badacsonytomaj with a scenic view and Balatonederics notable for its African Museum and Zoo. If you have arrived there, you have almost reached the western coast in Keszthely. The pier of Keszthely is a great stop for cyclists. It is rightly called the “capital of Lake Balaton” since in every 50 m, you can find interesting sights, museums, castles and old buildings.
/balatonbringa.hu/
Continuing the journey, you have to head for Balatonberény and Balatonszentgyörgy before cycling towards Balatonkeresztúr and Balatonfenyves where you are officially on the south coast.
Arriving in Balatonboglár, do not forget to go up to the unique lookout tower, the Globe Observatory, for jaw-dropping heights and a spectacular view. Then continue the journey to Balatonlelle and Balatonszemes. In Balatonföldvár and Szántód, you can admire one more time the scenic Tihany peninsula, but in Siófok, pay special attention to pedestrians since the cycle path crosses the route of passers-by in the centre.
Then comes the last part of the journey. In Balatonvilágos, get ready for a small altitude change, but it is not something you should worry about. Finally, the last settlements include Balatonakarattya, Balatonkenese and Balatonfűzfő where you can also try out the bobsleigh track. This is where the lake round trip ends, and the circle closes. Congratulations! You have accomplished the trip! 🙂
Further practical advice
Two questions rest to be discussed related to the trip: first, the accommodation opportunities, then the bicycle repair stations that are always good to check in advance.
In most camping sites mobile houses are available for tourists, like in the Aqua Camp of Alsóörs or the Aranypart Kemping of Siófok, but you can also put up your own tent or park your caravan where different facilities, including running water, electricity and Internet connection, are provided. In some cases, the campsites have its own private beaches as well. For more information, check out the page of Booking.com about the best campsites around Lake Balaton.
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There is one more thing to keep in mind: the location of bike repair stations and stands. Sudden surprises and incidents can easily occur, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Even if it is highly advisable to check your vehicle with an expert before the trip, road conditions or unexpected accidents can sometimes make a visit inevitable. In the following, some bike repair stations are enumerated by Ilovebalaton.hu from which you can choose the closest one to where you stay:
Bike Center – Balatonalmádi (06/88/430-547)
Bike Extrem – Balatonfüred (06/30/411-3241)
Bike System – Balatonkenese (06/70/277-4818)
Böröcfi Bicycle– Siófok (06/84/311-358)
Bringa Centrum – Balatonfüred (06/87/4871-077)
Bringanet – Balatonmáriafürdő (06/85/375-242)
Fábián Shop– Fonyód (06/85/560-175)
Greenzone Bicycle Shop– Keszthely (06/83/315-463)
Tekergő Bicycle Rental– Balatonberény
Véka Sport – Balatonlelle (06/20/932-3979)
We hope that this article has helped a lot in planning your cycling trip and also provided useful tips on how to get out the most of it by being well-prepared. Good luck! 🙂
Ferenc Szőnyi is in his early fifties, but he is so active in sports as most of us never will be. He has already run 480 kilometers in the Himalayas and he has swum 76 kilometers in a row. He is often called “Racemachine”, and not without a reason. According to Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, he has been doing sports for merely ten years, he has done some of the most challenging trials of strength. Moreover, he has won most of these contests.
His most recent challenge was the Great Himalayan Ultra Running, in which he ran almost 500 kilometers among the harshest circumstances. He is also a recurring participant of Ironman contests (one of which was hosted in Budapest a couple of years ago).
He has already completed more than a 100 Ironman challenges, 30 of which he did on subsequent days.
As he claims, the stress caused by his work and the growth of his belly were the signs that warned him about his health condition. He lived in the countryside and this had a negative impact on his food consumption as well.
He began to do these challenging tasks by degrees, but he started from a quite high level anyway. He was doing long distance cycling and completed a marathon before turning to more difficult exercises. His attitude changed the most, as he found sports a burden earlier. Then he and his friends began to go jogging more and more often, making it a challenge for him.
He began with a 12-hour-long contest, which was followed by a double Ironman.
It was a challenging beginning, but then a progressive career followed. He still considers himself an enthusiastic amateur.
He stated that a strict daily routine has to be followed during an Ironman challenge. The first part of the contest is 3.8 kilometers of swimming, during which there is only a minimal opportunity for rehydration. It is followed by 180 kilometers of cycling; this is the best part concerning food, as the contender can consume some bananas, cereal bars and isotonic drinks. When the running part comes, then the focus turns towards rehydration again.
When the contender passes the finish line, he has to start eating immediately. He has to consume a wide variety of dishes from soup to meat stew. This part lasts at least until 10pm. If the contender is lucky, he can sleep 5 hours. Then the whole process begins again the next day.
The best contenders of Ironman in Hungary can complete the challenge in 9 hours. Stamina is much more important than speed.
He is constantly keeping up his shape, but contests require preparation. He usually prepares for 2 months intensively with 15-20 hours of training per week.
He states that the moment when someone just gives up can come anytime and it can have different reasons. It depends on many things: sleeping, air pressure, food, hydration and many others. He claims that it is usually high pace or dehydration that causes the problem (it can even lead to death in extreme cases). It is rare to give up because of an injury. Giving up is an intelligent and logical decision and even Ferenc Szőnyi did this sometimes.
All his victories provide good memories for him, but he is the proudest of his 20 Ironman challenges in a row in 2010, which meant 76 kilometers of swimming, 3,600 kilometers of cycling and 844 kilometers of running.
He also completed 30 Ironman contests in 30 days another time, ranking 2nd in the end.
In order to prepare for the contests, he had to get used to another lifestyle. He sold out both his enterprises, so he has much more time than before.
He states that it is never too late to begin, as super long distance may be favorable for those who would be too slow in a short distance contest. He claims that determination is the key. Sports can change a person’s entire life from food consumption to social relations. He encourages everyone to give it a try.
Budapest’s bike-sharing system was used about 645,000 times last year, down slightly from 652,000 times in 2015, business daily Világgazdaság said on Tuesday.
The network has expanded to 124 docking stations and 1,486 bicycles since its launch in the autumn of 2014.
In its first year of operation, the system was used 815,000 times, operator Budapest Public Transport Centre (BKK) said earlier.
The cost of operating the system, dubbed “MOL BuBi”, for Hungarian oil and gas company MOL, which set it up, comes to almost 260 million forints (EUR 839,000) a year, BKK told the paper. MOL covers more than half of that cost, the centre said.
Fees for using the system generate about 70 million forints of revenue a year.
BKK expects MOL BuBi usage to climb this winter as the M3 metro line undergoes a renovation.
MOL BuBi bicycles are assembled by Budapest-based bicycle maker Csepel. The procurement cost of each bicycle is 230,000 forints.
A new public bicycle service is going to be introduced for Hungarian citizens by extending the services of the Donkey Republic, a public bike-share startup.
Turizmus.com reports that Donkey Republic tries to reach more and more local citizens by its system that makes bike rental possible and provides more favourable prices to locals through the Donkey Republic app available on smartphones. The companies that make bike rental possible from different locations, with the help of an app, have been on the market for some time and are present in Europe, thus in Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, as well.
hopes that its public bike system would encourage even more Hungarian people to ride bicycles, as it is the most effective and endurable form of transportation.
What makes the rental of the orange-coloured bikes truly special and easy to use is that everything happens through the smartphone app. The good-quality bikes can be rented at lots of locations, even at areas which are, presently, not reachable by the services of MOL Bubi. The opening and closing of the lock is done through Bluetooth with a simple touch on the screen.
Photo: Donkey Republic
The introduction of the new public cycling membership makes it cheaper and simpler for Hungarian citizens to have access to one of the 300 bikes of Donkey Republic.
The membership in Budapest provides the same discounts in all the Donkey Republic cities and the introduction of the 2-membership package even grants special promotion for the 1st subscribers.
By offering membership opportunities, the Donkey Republic (www.donkey.bike) aims at extending its services in Budapest. It provides assistance to the customers who would like to have access to good-quality and easily rideable bikes in a simple and fast way. A further advantage of the bikes is that they do not necessarily have to be given back at a station within 30 minutes. Furthermore, the Donkey Republic bikes can be found in many other European cities and
the membership in Budapest allows the same discount in prices for bike rental in other Donkey Republic cities.
Donkey Republic, in the framework of endurability, advocates accessible and qualitative urban cycling. The start-up was set up in 2015, in Copenhagen by 4 people with the idea of uplifting cycling to be the hero of urban transportation and consequently, making cities greener, liveable and less congested areas to live. Since then, at least 80,000 customers have made use of their service. Nowadays, they are present with more than 4,000 bikes in more than 40 cities in the world.
Another Hungarian joined the future Guinness world recorders – we still have to wait for the official announcement for a couple of weeks. Borsonline.hu writes that the 25-year-old Dávid Kővári from Budapest has cycled more than 500 kilometres through seven countries for 22 hours. The maximum time to accomplish the distance was 24 hours. As for the reason why he applied, he says, he opened the book of world records because he wanted to carry out an outrageous act.
The young gentleman, who works for the software developing company EPAM and was supported by his workplace, said that he was able to make it, although not easily, because he had been practicing for the challenge for a long time. He began in a Polish area and finished in Croatia. The truck drivers were emphatic towards him, they told each other about his attempt on the radio, for this reason they handled the situation unbelievably patiently and almost everyone gave voice to their sympathy with honking and waving when they got passed him.
He said, he hadn’t stopped to sleep, only to relax, eat and loosen his muscles up so that he could keep his tempo.
His route started in Poland, after which he passed the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and finishing in Croatia. He completed the 500 kilometres in less than a day.
Starting the last 100 kilometres with his knee being pulled made it even more difficult to accomplish the finishing phase of the distance.
According to him, it was a special experience to cycle in the light of the rising sun in Austria. He was cycling in 5 Celsius degrees so he was freezing.
Dávid does not think it is unlikely that he would take part in a national bike race in the future, but for now he wants to regain those 15-20 thousand calories he has burnt, so now he is relaxing.
Cyclist and ambassador for peace József Zelei is paying tribute to Hungarian soldiers killed during WWI by leaving on Thursday for a bicycle tour from Budapest to the Italian island of Asinara, north of Sardinia, where thousands of Hungarian prisoners of war were taken.
He will follow the route of POWs through Szeged, Subotica (Szabadka), Belgrade, Nis, Pristina, Prizen, Vlora, Capistrano, Vittoria and Stintino to erect a traditional carved wooden memorial plinth on the island where he is planned to arrive on September 25.
Defence Minister István Simicskó said in a message read out at the departure ceremony in the Budapest castle district that the message of the tour is to promote peace in Europe.
“It is important to remember and remind people of the heroic soldiers who fought for and sacrificed their lives for our nation … in the Great War”, he added.
Soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy captured in Serbia in 1914 were forced to walk some 800 kms through the Balkans, then shipped to Asinara, Italy. Of the 85,000 POWs, only 6,000 could return home, well after the war.
The Tour de Ring is going to take place on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, where instead of Formula 1 cars, bikes will roam the lanes of Hungaroring. Nlcafe.hu reports that organisers invite not only professional cyclists, but also amateurs or families who use bikes.
The organisers of the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix have made an announcement on Tuesday, inviting the cyclist families to the Hungaroring on this weekend, two weeks prior to the Grand Prix.
Csaba Bogdán, who is the brain behind the idea, said the following on Tuesday: “We have three target groups, namely true professionals, trained amateurs looking for an adventure, and families. We trust that members of all three groups will return home with an unforgettable experience, knowing that they accomplished well.”
This weekend’s event is actually part of a competition series for bicycle riders. There will be a trial competition, the 24Kör (24Laps), where competitors can get valuable points, which will be useful when competing on the 4381 metres circumference concrete lane. Csaba Bogdán emphasised that the most exciting part of the series will be at another venue. This is the VelenceBike Ring24, which is a non-stop individual or a relay competition. The 24-hour competition will challenge participants at a 700 kilometres long lane, while groups of six will compete on a lane almost 800 kilometres long.
Not professional cyclists are welcome as well to the Hungaroring on this weekend, there will be a free bicycle tour for families on the roads around the ring, escorted by police so that safety is ensured at all times. Also, participants will have one hour to give the fresh concrete a go, where two weeks from then, the Formula One drivers will be racing. Organisers have thought about children as well, they can try their skills both in speed-trial and in rush competitions.
