The Maringá city government opened a new bidding process in October 2026 to install and operate a shared electric bike and e-scooter system in the city. Following the failed bidding round from February 2026 and the success of the Estação Ingá initiative (July 2024–March 2025), the municipality is trying again to bring fixed stations to public spaces. The proposal submission deadline is November 16, 2026, and the first stations should arrive shortly. For those already riding their own e-scooters in Maringá, the return of bike-sharing means far more than just another transportation option: expanding cycling infrastructure, normalizing micro-mobility as an urban mode, and improving traffic safety. Here's what's coming and how to prepare.
The New 2026 Bidding Process: What Changed Since February
The first 2026 bid, published in February, set higher prices: R$ 2.00 (approx. USD 0.40) activation + R$ 0.50 (approx. USD 0.10) per minute for bikes and R$ 3.50 (approx. USD 0.70) + R$ 1.00 (approx. USD 0.20) per minute for e-scooters. No companies applied. This time, the municipality has significantly reduced activation fees and per-minute rates to make the project more attractive.
The new contract will run for 5 years (60 months), with the possibility of expansion after review by the Municipal Urban Mobility Office (SEMOB). The winning operator will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and commercially operating the system—meaning they supply the equipment and profit from user fees.
12 Stations Across Maringá: Locations and Timeline
The new bid calls for 12 stations in public spaces throughout the city, with exact locations to be finalized by the city government. Each station will have a minimum of 12 bike slots and 12 e-scooter slots, following lighting, accessibility, and high-traffic criteria already tested at Estação Ingá.
The preferred maximum distance between stations is 0.6 miles (1 km), ensuring coverage across residential neighborhoods and major avenues. Stations cannot obstruct sidewalks or restrict movement for people with reduced mobility—an important detail that improves urban coexistence.
The official schedule points to envelope opening on November 16, 2026, at 9:00 AM. After the operator is selected, installation should happen between December 2026 and the first months of 2027.
Expanding Cycling Infrastructure: The Foundation for Everything
It's no coincidence the city is pushing bike-sharing now. In parallel, Maringá is expanding its cycling network by approximately 6.2 miles (10 km)—a 25% increase—with maintenance already completed on Horácio Racanello, Brasil, and Pedro Taques avenues. More bike lanes and shared cycling routes mean safer space for e-scooters and bikes.
According to Maringá Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025, e-scooters must travel on bike lanes, cycle tracks, and shared routes. With the expanded network, the city will offer many more safe pathways for both rental and personal e-scooter riders.
Local Regulations: What Applies to Your Personal E-Scooter
If you already ride an e-scooter in Maringá, you know the rules. If not, here's what you need to know: Maringá Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025 sets clear limits:
- Bike lanes and cycle tracks: maximum speed of 12.4 mph (20 km/h)
- Sidewalks, plazas, and parks: maximum speed of 3.7 mph (6 km/h)
- Shared traffic routes: permitted only on streets with speed limits up to 24.8 mph (40 km/h)
- Helmet mandatory
- Required equipment: speed indicator, bell, and night-time lighting
CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 (Brazil's National Traffic Council) adds: electric e-scooters have a maximum technical speed of 19.8 mph (32 km/h), do not require a driver's license, and can only be operated by riders 16 years or older. Shared e-scooters will follow these same standards, ensuring equal rules for everyone.
The Success Story That Brought Stations Back
Remember Estação Ingá? From July 2024 to March 2025, the first shared micro-mobility hub proved the concept works in Maringá. Residents used it regularly, safety incidents were minimal, and the infrastructure showed that the city was ready for this type of system. That pilot program's success is exactly why the city is now moving forward with 12 permanent stations.