Progress so far

The rise of mobility as a service (MaaS) is evident across the globe in recent years. The idea is that an interconnected system of lightweight electric vehicles (LEV’s) can replace the need for a private vehicle in the city centre. This aims to reduce emissions and congestion in one fowl swoop. A great concept and a positive move forward, yes? In theory it is and just like the P.C. replaced the typewriter it’s only a matter of time. However, key factors of its successful implementation are availability, integration and user buy in. The bike share phenomenon has been years in the making with some like New York’s Citi Bike starting in 2013, the boom however started in earnest in China between 2014 – 2016 with the largest player called OFO.

Research

Bike sharing has had mixed success globally with early business models suffering from lack of regulation and over saturation which caused chaos in bike vandalism, dumping and littering. The University of Melbourne undertook a study and concluded the key factors in the success of a bike share programme are Natural Environment such as hills and weather, Built Environment such as infrastructure and the Legal Environment.

How private bike share schemes can help

There are many journeys in Dublin that require multiple connections including walking, public transport, and shared mobility. All these options have different apps and different payment interfaces. The simplest solution is a single, door to door transport option to replace the car. Let’s look at an example; Zoe is our fictional character. Zoe lives in The Beacon South Quarter in Sandford and works in Harold’s cross. If Zoe doesn’t’ want to drive, then her options are as follows:

• Walk to Stillorgan Green line
• Depart at Harcourt Luas stop
• Walk to Camden Street Lower
• Take 16 Bus towards Ballinteer
• Depart on Harold’s Cross Road
• Walk to the office

Quite the journey before a day’s work I hear you say!

Solution

The distance from Zoe’s home to the office is just 7.4km yet this itinerary takes her 56 minutes provided everything runs smoothly. Private shared e-mobility can bridge the gap between a fragmented public transport system and the ageing combustion engine. If Zoe had access to a private e-bike share facility through her company she can use a single, sustainable transport option to get from point A to point B. This convenience is critical to changing behaviours in commuters. As an industry we need to provide users with innovation, usability, and convenience. Key to this is enabling employers make the switch to e-mobility smoothly while helping them bolster the cornerstone of their company’s sustainability programme.

Ireland is at the dawning of a new age in transport, whichever form takes hold be it private, public or a combination of both, we should embrace change for the betterment of our environment and the cities arounds us.

For more information on how our bike share facility works click here and to get in touch contact us on 01 524 0640.