As the gig economy continues to grow, so too do the number of e-bike and electric scooter sharing programs. These programs offer a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly way to get around, making them a popular choice for gig workers.
Since their inception, e-bike and electric scooter sharing programs have undergone a number of changes. Here's a look at the evolution of these programs and how they've become an integral part of the gig economy.
Early Days
The first e-bike sharing program was launched in 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland. The program, known as Velo, was a success, with riders taking an average of 30,000 trips per day.
However, Velo was not without its problems. The bikes were often damaged or stolen, and the cost of repairs was high. As a result, the program was discontinued in 2012.
A number of other e-bike sharing programs were launched in the years that followed, but they all faced similar issues. The bikes were expensive to maintain and there was little incentive for users to return them to the docking stations.
The Rise of dockless E-Bikes and Electric Scooters
In 2017, dockless e-bikes and electric scooters began to appear on the streets of major cities around the world. These new devices were lighter, cheaper to produce, and could be left anywhere.
The dockless model was a game-changer for the e-bike and electric scooter sharing industry. Users no longer had to worry about returning the devices to a docking station, and companies could save on infrastructure costs.
The popularity of dockless e-bikes and electric scooters exploded, with companies such as Lime and Bird raising millions of dollars in funding. In just a few years, the number of shared e-bikes and electric scooters on the streets of global cities has grown into the millions.
The Future of E-Bike and Electric Scooter Sharing
The e-bike and electric scooter sharing industry is still in its early days, but it has already undergone a dramatic transformation. The move to dockless devices has made these programs more convenient and affordable, and there is no sign of this trend slowing down.
As the gig economy continues to grow, we can expect to see more people using e-bike and electric scooter sharing programs to get around. These programs offer a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly way to get around, making them a popular choice for gig workers.
Aug 05, 2023