Comparison · Strasbourg

Vélhop vs VéloRouge: what your Strasbourg bike rental actually includes

Choosing between Vélhop, the city's own rental service, and VéloRouge? Here is a factual side-by-side of what comes with the bike — helmet, lock, servicing — so you can decide before you book.

Side by side

VélhopVéloRouge
PriceVaries by duration — see velhop.strasbourg.euFrom €1/day on the annual plan, billed monthly (excl. VAT)
Adult helmetNot providedIncluded with every rental and subscription
Kids' helmetSold (not rented), station boutique only, around €35Included — tell us the age when you book
LockDepends on the bikeIncluded
ServicingPer their rental termsWorkshop on site; optional care plan €10/month with same-day service and a replacement bike
DepositPer their rental terms€99 card hold, released at the end
Pick-upFixed stations4 Rue du Faubourg-de-Saverne, minutes from the station

The helmet rule, plainly

In France, a helmet is compulsory for every cyclist under 12 — on a normal bike and on an e-bike alike (source: service-public.gouv.fr). That is national law, not one rental company's policy.

So the question before you book is not whether a helmet is required, but whether it comes with the bike. Vélhop sells a children's helmet at its station boutique rather than renting one, and offers nothing for adults. At VéloRouge a helmet comes with the bike, adult or child, from the first day.

What that changes day to day

A lock and a workshop behind you are not just extra lines in a table. They are one errand you skip, one breakdown that does not end your ride, and a bike that keeps working.

Our subscription is built so there is nothing to add afterwards: charged e-bike, helmet, lock, and a direct number if anything goes wrong.

Questions people ask us

Does Vélhop provide a helmet with the rental?
No. Vélhop sells a children's helmet — it is not part of the rental — at its Strasbourg station boutique for around €35, and nothing is offered for adults. If you rent there, plan to bring your own helmet or buy one separately.
Is a helmet compulsory when cycling in Strasbourg?
Yes, for cyclists under 12, everywhere in France including Strasbourg, on a classic bike as well as an e-bike (source: service-public.gouv.fr). It is the law, not a rental company's rule.
Where can I get a bike helmet in Strasbourg?
The Vélhop boutique at the central station sells children's helmets, which are not included in the rental. VéloRouge includes a helmet, adult or child, with the bike — no extra purchase and no extra stop.
What is the difference between Vélhop and VéloRouge?
Vélhop is the City of Strasbourg's bike rental service, with fixed stations and a per-duration price grid. VéloRouge is a shop-based rental and subscription that includes the electric bike, the helmet and the lock from €1 a day on the annual plan, with an optional €10/month care plan for servicing.
How much is a VéloRouge subscription?
€1 a day on the annual plan, billed monthly at €30 excl. VAT, with a €99 refundable deposit. A rolling monthly plan is €1.50/day (≈€45/month) excl. VAT. Helmet and lock are included in both.
Are the lock and servicing included with VéloRouge?
The lock is included. Servicing is handled at our Strasbourg workshop, and the optional care plan at €10/month adds same-day service with a replacement bike.

Subscribe from €1 a day

Helmet and lock included, workshop in town, no extra stop before your first ride.

See the VéloRouge plans

Sources

This page compares publicly available information as of August 2026. VéloRouge is not affiliated with Vélhop in any way. Please check current prices and terms directly with each provider.