General Terms and Conditions

RideBee UG (limited liability), Türkenstraße 38, 80799 Munich, represented by the managing directors Lukas Mohs and Fabian Seitz (hereinafter referred to as "RideBee"), operates an interactive online portal (the "Platform") that facilitates the arrangement and organization of carpooling to workplaces, educational institutions, and other institutions.

RideBee enables access to and use of the platform based on these General Terms and Conditions ("GTC"). The GTC govern the relationship between RideBee as the operator of the platform and the individuals who register ("Users") and apply to all services, offers, and features ("Services") advertised and provided by RideBee.

Conflicting or deviating terms and conditions of the Users are only valid if RideBee has expressly agreed to them in writing. The following conditions also apply equivalently to the platform “Stuttgart fährt mit.”

1. Conclusion of Contract

All potential commuters at locations activated by RideBee in cooperation with partner companies are eligible to register for the free version of the platform.
Users may register on the applications to access the full range of services. A prerequisite for registration and continued use is the provision of correct and complete information, especially a valid email address.
During registration, a user can freely choose a username and password. The user is obligated to keep the password confidential and must not allow third parties to access the platform through their credentials.
The contract is concluded by sending the registration form by the user (contract offer) and the confirmation of the registration by RideBee (acceptance of the offer).

2. Service description

Service description - RideBee provides a web application for the creation and organization of carpools for the daily commute to work. Native applications can also be used. Carpool providers (“riders”) and seekers (“carpoolers”) enter their planned routes on the web application. RideBee then suggests suitable drivers or carpoolers. Users can make a binding request for the drivers and carpoolers suggested to them. By confirming the request, a transportation contract is concluded between the driver and the passenger.
Contractual relationships - The publication of a carpool by the driver does not constitute a legally binding offer to conclude a transportation contract. Rather, only the carpooling request is a legally binding offer to the passenger, which is based on corresponding obligations of conduct. As soon as the passenger confirms the offer, a contract of carriage is concluded. Passengers cannot assert any claims against the drivers. RideBee is not a party to a transportation contract between users. The transportation contract is concluded exclusively between passengers and passengers. Claims arising from the transportation contract arise exclusively between the riders and passengers. RideBee does not provide passengers or vehicles for transportation. RideBee is neither liable for the successful arrangement of a carpool nor for the successful execution of a concluded transportation contract.
Misuse - Users shall refrain from actions that serve the purpose of organizing carpools found outside the specified booking system. The use of additional communication media (e.g. telephone) serves to ensure smooth operation and is permitted. Specifically, every person is obliged to enter every planned journey in the platform calendar and to respond to the resulting journey requests.
Intermediary principle - The formation of a carpool via the RideBee platform does not change the legal situation with regard to insurance benefits, liability of the employers' liability insurance association compared to a private carpool.
Users - Use of the platform requires registration as a user. There is no entitlement to participation. RideBee is entitled to reject registrations without giving reasons. Only natural persons are authorized to register as users. RideBee does not verify the identity of users. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that incorrect data has been entered for a user account. Each person must verify the identity of their contractual partner and the correctness of the data themselves.
User content - The platform offers users the technical possibility to publish their own content (profile information, messages, etc.). The content published on the platform by users is generally not checked by RideBee and does not represent the opinion of RideBee. However, if there are indications of misuse or illegal content, RideBee will check reported content and delete it if necessary. By publishing content on the platform, the person declares that the content is free of third-party rights and grants RideBee a free, unlimited, non-exclusive right to use the content.
Deleting a profile - Users are entitled to terminate the user relationship at any time with a notice period of seven days. The deletion of the account is equivalent to termination.
Promotions - To encourage regular use, RideBee occasionally raffles off prizes among users or distributes them depending on the amount of use. Changes may occur at short notice. There is therefore no entitlement to the promised prizes.
Image rights - Users can take photos of themselves or their carpools and send them to RideBee for advertising purposes or upload them to social media. Each person agrees that these photos may be edited and used commercially by RideBee. They can revoke these rights of use in writing at any time. In this case, it is mandatory to inform the other participants in the carpool of this revocation.

3. Duties of the User

Users must treat others and RideBee in an appropriate and considerate manner.
Users are obliged to provide correct data. This includes the obligation to keep this data up to date at all times and to inform RideBee immediately of any changes. This applies both to personal data and to the data of the respective car pools. Each person may only register once for a service. In the event of exclusion, the person concerned may not register again.
Users who do not have full legal capacity require the consent of their legal representatives to use the services. This consent must be proven in writing upon request.
The person driving must be in possession of a valid driver's license. The vehicle used must be properly insured, equipped and registered. Drivers must not be unfit to drive at the start of the journey. Drivers are responsible for complying with the relevant applicable legal regulations, such as the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO).
The commercial offering of car pools contradicts the purpose of the platform and is not permitted. Commercial rides are characterized in particular by the fact that the driver offers them with the intention of making a profit. RideBee would also like to point out that the scope of application of the Passenger Transportation Act (Personenbeförderungsgesetz), which may require the carrier to obtain a permit, already applies if transportation is provided by passenger car and the total charge exceeds the operating costs of the trip. Riders themselves are responsible for complying with the Passenger Transportation Act. RideBee endeavors to ensure this compliance when proposing prices, but cannot guarantee it due to the widely varying costs of privately owned vehicles.
The aim of carpooling is to share vehicle costs. To this end, the platform makes a price proposal based on the length of the shared routes, among other things. By sending a ride request (carpoolers) or accepting a ride request (riders), this price - and within the same framework a slight change if additional parameters occur - is accepted. RideBee reserves the right to change the formula for this price proposal. If there is a further agreement between both parties on the price of the ride, this is valid. Unless otherwise agreed between the rider and the passenger, this price must be paid in cash or via the platform's payment system at the start of the ride.
It is expressly forbidden to register third parties on the platform without their knowledge and consent or to publish content on the platform in their name.
No rides may be offered on the platform in vehicles that are officially registered for more than nine people (e.g. buses, etc.) without the express permission of RideBee.
Activities aimed at rendering the platform inoperable or making it difficult to use the service are prohibited and will be prosecuted by RideBee under civil and/or criminal law. This includes in particular such measures that are able to influence the physical or logical structure of the services as well as automated procedures for tapping data, such as data crawling and data scraping or the use of mechanisms, software or scripts. The services of the platform may not be used for illegal purposes in any other way either. This includes, among other things, that the software used on the platform and the published information may only be used for the services offered on the platform and may not be copied. The protection of users' personal data is particularly important to RideBee. Details on how RideBee handles personal data can be viewed here.
Passengers and drivers should arrive punctually at the agreed time at the agreed location (if applicable, the place of residence of the passengers). Passengers and drivers undertake to wait up to 10 minutes after the agreed time at the agreed location for the party who has not yet arrived. Passengers and drivers undertake to contact each other by telephone on the telephone number provided or, if this has not been exchanged, via the contact information otherwise provided (messaging system, e-mail) as soon as a delay is foreseeable, but at the latest when it has occurred.
Contacting other users (both via the integrated messaging system and via e-mail or other forms of communication) is only permitted for the purpose of arranging car pools.

4. Rights of RideBee

RideBee is entitled to terminate the user relationship with immediate effect if a person repeatedly posts content that violates the terms of use or otherwise breaches these terms, and fails to remedy the violation despite a warning with a deadline or repeats the violation.
RideBee is entitled at any time to remove offers and requests of users or user profiles from the platform. RideBee reserves the right to prevent excluded users from registering, even through technical filters.
By submitting information in the context of ride offers, users grant RideBee a limited, revocable, and transferable right to use the respective information in connection with the platform.
RideBee may use content in any other form to create aggregated usage statistics about the service. These aggregated statistics may be communicated by RideBee to other users or to the public. Users cannot be identified based on such aggregated statistics.
Users may, also at the request of RideBee, submit feedback about the service. This includes, without limitation, any comments or suggestions for the possible creation, modification, correction, improvement, or expansion of the service or other websites, services, or products of RideBee ("Feedback"). RideBee is entitled to use the feedback for any purpose without any limitation or compensation to the users.

5. Liability of RideBee

RideBee does not guarantee the proper operation or uninterrupted availability or accessibility of the platform at all times, as server disruptions or fluctuations in the quality of access to the platform cannot be technically excluded.
As a service provider within the meaning of the Telemedia Act, RideBee is not obligated to monitor the transmitted or stored information of its users or to investigate circumstances that indicate illegal activities. However, if RideBee becomes aware of such facts, it will examine the situation and immediately remove or block the illegal content.
RideBee is fully liable to users of the platform for damages resulting from the violation of life, body, or health caused by an intentional or negligent breach of duty, as well as for other damages resulting from an intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty or fraudulent conduct.
For damages not covered by 5.3 and caused by negligence through the actions of RideBee’s legal representatives, executive employees, or other vicarious agents, RideBee’s liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable contractual damages.
Liability for indirect damages and lost profits is excluded in the case of simple negligence – unless the conditions for unlimited liability under 5.3 are met. In particular, RideBee only acts as an intermediary and is not liable for accidents that occur during the carpooling process.
In particular, RideBee does not assume liability for damages resulting from the failure of a carpooling arrangement or its failure to be carried out as planned.
RideBee is also not liable for damages caused by force majeure, riots, war, natural events, or other occurrences beyond its control (e.g., traffic disruptions).

6. Dispute Resolution and Applicable Law

All users are encouraged to resolve any disputes with other users out of court and, if necessary, with the help of RideBee. This also applies to disputes with RideBee. However, they are not obligated to do so.
This agreement is governed by German law, excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
The exclusive place of jurisdiction is Munich, unless the user does not have a permanent residence in Germany at the time of filing a lawsuit.

7. Cancellation policy

If you register with RideBee and thereby conclude this user agreement, the following provisions apply to you as a consumer under the law (§ 13 BGB):

Right of Withdrawal – You can revoke your contract declaration within 14 days without providing any reasons in text form (e.g., letter, fax, email). The period begins after receiving this instruction in text form, but not before the conclusion of the contract and not before we have fulfilled our information obligations under Article 246 § 2 in conjunction with § 1 (1) and (2) EGBGB as well as our duties under § 312g (1) Sentence 1 BGB in conjunction with Article 246 § 3 EGBGB. To comply with the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient to send the withdrawal in time. The withdrawal should be addressed to: RideBee UG (limited liability), Türkenstraße 38, 80799 Munich. Email: info@ridebee.com
Consequences of Withdrawal – In the case of a valid withdrawal, the received services must be returned by both parties, and any benefits derived (e.g., interest) must be refunded. If you are unable to return the received service (e.g., benefits from use) in full or in a deteriorated condition, you must compensate us for the value. This may result in you having to fulfill your contractual payment obligations for the period until the withdrawal. Payment refunds must be completed within 30 days. The period begins for you when you send your withdrawal declaration, for us when we receive it.
Special Notes – Your right of withdrawal expires prematurely if the contract is fully performed by both parties at your express request before you have exercised your right of withdrawal.

End of Right of Withdrawal Notice.

The involved users explicitly acknowledge that, according to the current legal situation, there is no right of withdrawal concerning RideBee’s mediation services regarding carpooling or the contracts concluded between users (e.g., transport contracts). Therefore, the notice about the right of withdrawal does not apply to this service by RideBee, as no such right of withdrawal exists in this regard.

8. Data Protection

The handling of personal data of its users is particularly important to RideBee. Therefore, personal data is generally collected and processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws. The user is aware that by posting their offer, they are publishing personal data that may be visible to non-registered users on certain pages of the platform. The principles regarding the handling of personal data by RideBee are included in the privacy policy.

Our data protection rules can be found under the following link:

ridebee.com/privacy-policy

The privacy rules of Stripe can be found at the following link:

stripe.com/privacy

9. Final Provisions

Changes to the terms and conditions (AGB) become effective only with the consent of the users. This consent is deemed to be given if RideBee sends the modified terms and conditions to the users via email or points out the modified terms within the services, and the user does not object within six weeks, despite being clearly informed of this legal consequence. If the user objects to the applicability of the new terms within the six-week period, RideBee remains entitled to terminate the contractual relationship.
If any provision of these terms and conditions is or becomes invalid, or if these terms contain a gap to be filled, this does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. The invalid provision or gap will be replaced by an effective provision that most closely reflects the economic interest of the parties and that the parties would have agreed upon if they had known of the invalidity of the provision.

10. Digital Payment with Stripe

Cost contribution - The cost contribution is determined by RideBee. More information at: https://ridebee.com/price-explanation. The cost contribution is transmitted via the electronic payment system Stripe (“Stripe Connect”). Stripe is operated by Stripe Technology Europe, Ltd., a licensed payment service provider under European supervision.
User fee - The use of the RideBee platform is free of charge for drivers and passengers; RideBee does not charge any commission on the travel costs. Payment service provider fees are not passed on to the users, but are borne by RideBee. RideBee reserves the right to inform users of any fees incurred in exceptional cases.
General obligation to use Stripe – If both the driver and the passenger have activated digital payment, the Stripe payment system must be used for paid rides. If no online payment processing is available, payment will be made in cash. The driver is not entitled to request payment of the cost contribution before the trip. The risk of a payment default lies solely with the driver; RideBee is not obligated to ensure the successful or timely receipt of the payment.
Activation of Digital Payment / Stripe Account – By activating digital payment, a “Custom Connected Account” with Stripe is set up for each user (business model “Stripe Connect”). The following steps are necessary:
- Providing personal data (first name, last name, date of birth, country of residence, home address, phone number, bank details, valid ID)
- Providing a valid payment method (e.g., credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay)
- Undergoing an identity verification (“Know Your Customer”) by Stripe
- Answering a question regarding the type of business (Note: Answering this question does not automatically establish a business obligation, it is simply part of the standard process of the payment service provider. Only if there is an intention to generate profit from the carpooling would a business registration be considered. This is not the case if the proposed cost-sharing is followed.)
The complete and up-to-date provision of this information is the responsibility of the users. RideBee assumes no liability for damages resulting from incorrect or outdated data.
Separate contract with Stripe - By setting up a Stripe account and using the digital payment, a separate contract is concluded between the user and Stripe. By agreeing to these GTC, the user also accepts the provisions of Stripe, in particular the data protection and terms of use stored there. GTC: https://stripe.com/DE/legal/connect-account; Data protection: https://stripe.com/en-de/privacy. Stripe applies anti-money laundering and “know your customer” rules when using its services, which must be complied with by the user. Should Stripe require further identity verification, transactions may be temporarily suspended until the requirements are met.
Payment Processing – If the passenger chooses not to pay in cash and opts for payment through Stripe, the provided payment method will be charged with the agreed amount at the end of the trip, unless another arrangement is made. The driver will receive the amount credited to their linked Stripe account. The balance in this account belongs exclusively to the account holder. No other person has rights to these funds. Payment receipts will be shown in the transaction history on the RideBee platform.
Payouts – Users can transfer the balance to their own bank account at any time, provided they meet the payout and identity verification conditions set by Stripe (e.g., IBAN, valid ID). A further identity verification may be required by Stripe during the payout process.
Refunds and Chargebacks – In the case of an erroneous, duplicate, or unauthorized charge, users can contact RideBee support (contact details in the imprint). RideBee will process valid refund requests within 14 days. Any costs or fees for unauthorized chargebacks will be charged to the users. Chargebacks are only permitted if there is unauthorized use of the payment instrument or a violation of these terms or Stripe’s terms.
Modification and Limitation of Payment Options – RideBee can change, restrict, or introduce additional electronic payment systems at any time. If there is any balance from previous transactions (e.g., remaining balance), it should be withdrawn before the account is deleted or before switching payment service providers.
Legal Compliance and Abuse – It is not allowed to make payments to natural or legal persons who violate legal provisions or disregard these terms. In case of suspected violations, RideBee may immediately reverse the payment or block the account.

Additional Note: The responsibility for lawful use of the Stripe account and compliance with all regulations (e.g., anti-money laundering and data protection laws) lies exclusively with the users. RideBee is not liable for actions or rejections by Stripe related to identity verification or payment execution.