As part of the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress 2023 (TMWC2023), Aleksei Jeršovski, Business Development Manager at Bikeep, discusses the difficulties the sector is facing.
“More investments in micromobility are needed to build bike lanes and proper infrastructure,” explains Jeršovski in a conversation with Mobility Portal Europe.
In addition to being the Business Development Manager of the company, Jeršovski is also an expert in the field.
That’s why he understands that “when cities invest, people tend to use this type of vehicles more.”
Another issue the business faces is related to regulations.
Each country has its own micromobility rules, and these laws vary from city to city.
This can be a challenge for companies working with vehicles, as they are required to study the regulations of regions where they intend to operate.
“As for e-scooters, there are still many cities that do not allow their use in public,” Jeršovski points out.
This is the case in Paris, where the use of e-scooters was prohibited starting from September 1st. The same happens in some areas of Great Britain.
On the other hand, while they are widely used in Madrid, circulation is prohibited at bus stops, green spaces, and most of the cultural areas.
Bikeep’s Business Development Manager disagrees with the need for more regulations but advocates for investment initiatives in cities, as these “have been extremely beneficial”.
Bikeep is Seeking New Partners
Bikeep is the leading smart commercial scooter and bike parking and charging provider in the world, based in San Francisco, California.
“We started in 2013 and were at the forefront of the market,” says Jeršovski.
Currently, it operates in 21 countries in collaboration with city governments and other companies.
The company’s main markets include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom, with solutions also offered in Costa Rica.
One reason representatives from Bikeep were present at TMWC2023 was to establish partnerships and continue diversifying their destinations.
“One of our main goals is to find new partners,” says the Business Development Manager.
“We need to have a strong local partner to present our products in other regions,” he adds.
Why is a company like Bikeep notable?
Bikeep is recognized as one of the safest companies of its kind in the market, with only 4 thefts out of 326,000 sessions in 2022.
It’s worth mentioning that the company was awarded The Best Parking Charging and Hubs Company at the Rider’s Choice Award on January 19, 2023.
“Our main goal is to solve the theft problem and offer our solution beyond Europe and the United States,” comments Jeršovski to Mobility Portal Europe.
When asked about the relationship with end-users, he explains: “Our services are free in most countries; we do not ask for any fee or subscription from end-users. Our solution is highly appreciated.”
There are numerous answers as to why Bikeep system is chosen worldwide.
Users can plan their commute through the app and also reserve bicycles in advance. Also, owners can lock and unlock their vehicle with just one swap.
The easy-to-use app offers an integrated network of bike parking stations that provide convenience to the daily journeys of the cyclist.
Latest projects by Bikeep
The company is renewing itself and advancing daily by placing new stations in different locations around the world.
Their secure parking spaces, designed for both e-bikes and e-scooters, can be found in urban, semi-urban, or more remote green spaces.
The company’s latest projects include systems in Hlemmsvæðinu in Iceland, Moss in Norway, and Barry Docks in South Wales.
Furthermore, the company representative has hinted at considering expansion to other destinations, such as Argentina in South America.
