Tag Archives: uber

Motorcycle News, News

Uber’s Ride-Hailing Service Makes It’s Way to Paris

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Hop On, We’re Going Out

UberMoto is just what you’d expect; Uber for motorcycles. You open your app, set your destination, and within no time your driver (or in this case, rider) will show up just in the knick of time so you aren’t late for your appointment at the Ducati dealership to pick up the bike they’ve been wrenching on for you.

Why pick an Uber motorcycle instead of a regular car? European and Asian countries have benefited greatly from lane filtering and sharing laws that allow riders to split lanes to speed up overall traffic for everyone; meaning you can get to your destination faster than if you decided to take a taxi or traditional form of rideshare transportation.

You may find it strange or unsafe to hop on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle in prime-time traffic, but luckily Uber ensures the drivers must provide ample protective gear – helmet, jacket gloves – to keep you safe on your expedited journey.

When using a ride share service, you’re going to pay more the quicker you get to your destination. With bikes being able to split lanes and cut down commute times by a sizable chunk you can expect that the pricing for this service is going to be higher. It is also smart to take into account that Uber as a brand is going to be paying a lot more money on insurance for passengers in the event of a collision – which on a motorcycle is often far more dangerous.

Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory slims rsv4 x

Currently Uber is only testing the motorcycle ride-share service in Paris, but if they are successful you can expect them to bring this service to many crowded European hot-spots down the line.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Ride sharing to dampen motorcycle sales

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The love of motorcycle ownership could be replaced by the love of riding with an increase in ride sharing and rental expected in the next 10 years at the expense of motorcycle sales.

A Fact.MR report has surprisingly found that increased traffic congestion and population is discouraging people from buying motorcycles. Perhaps they are finding it too dangerous to ride.

They also say millennials, who are estimated to hold the largest share in global demographics, prefer to share and buy or even ride motorcycles.

Ride sharing growthScooti ride sharing scooter service

However, these factors are expected to contribute to a growth in motorcycle sales to rental services such as the new Scooti “taxi” ride sharing service which recently started in Melbourne, as well as motorcycle tour companies

The report suggests these sharing services are bolstered by the development of sophisticated technologies such as data analytics, Internet of Things and the growth of automated vehicles.

Motorcycle manufacturers are not oblivious to the changes and are investing heavily in the industry.

Yamaha has invested US$150m ($A210m) in Grab, a bike rental service operational in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.

They plan to develop affordable motorcycles available for rental purposes.

BMW has also launched its own bike rental service in Germany, France, and Austria. If successful, the Bavarian company plans to expand its services around the globe.

Touring growth

Hidden Sri Lanka Tour with Extreme Bike Tours sharing
Hidden Sri Lanka Tour with Extreme Bike Tours

The popularity of overseas motorcycle tours is also driving the demand for rental sports bikes, cruisers, and adventure bikes, the Fact.MR report says.

“A significant increase in recreational activities coupled with the development of lightweight and high-performance motorcycle suitable for different terrains is also fuelling the sales of adventure and touring motorcycles,” it says.

Electric damper

Harley electric LiveWire ID specs sharing
Harley’s coming electric bicycle

The report also claims the acceleration and handling capabilities of many new e-bikes (electric bicycles) is so similar to many small bikes and scooters, they are expected to cannibalise motorcycle sales.

The report says many e-bikes have value-added features such as ABS, superior suspension, and fat tyres for better grip and handling.

The availability of affordable e-bike models will also sabotage more expensive electric motorcycles, the report says.

Harley-Davidson has hedged its bets with an electric motorcycle coming this year, but also a host of electric bicycles and scooters.

Harley electric bicycles sharing
Harley electric bicycle

Riding e-bikes does not require a licence in most jurisdictions, opening up the leisure and transport activity to more prospective riders.

The report estimates the motorcycle market will grow at the compound annual growth rate of 3.8% until 2026, reaching 40 million this year.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Scooti ride-sharing service arrives

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After more than a year in the planning an Uber-style ride-sharing service for scooters has arrived with Scooti starting operations in Melbourne.

CEO Brett Balsters says if the Melbourne service is well received, “we will get Sydney going first and then shift our attention on Queensland”.

We reported on the service a year ago and it has taken a lot of meetings to sort out safety and other issues with the Victorian Government to get the service started.

In fact, when we contacted Brett this week he said he was about to “step into another meeting with the Victorian Government”.

Safety and comfort

Scooti peer-to-peer scooter taxi service
Scooti COO Brett Balsters, CMO Eva Krane and CEO Cameron Nadi

Brett says “safety and comfort” of Scooti’s customers is their top priority.

“All our drivers are specially trained, insured and certified under government legislation,” he says.

“We operate in and around the CBD where most roads are 40km/h zones, and helmets, hairnets and safety vests are provided to all our customers.”

Putting more scooters on the road would also create a visible presence that would alert other motorists to the presence of two-wheelers and hopefully increase the safety of all riders.

To access the service, pillions need to download the Scooti app for iPhone and Android, then request a ride by entering their pick-up location and destination.

Scooti ride-sharing scooter service
Scooti app

It is similar to the Uber taxi service.

Scooti says riders can refuse to take pillions who they do not believe would be safe passengers.

Unlike a taxi service, we can’t imagine they would be taking too many drunks home.

Rider incomeScooti ride-sharing scooter service

The service will not only provide pillions with a quick, cheap and easy service around the CBD, but also provide riders with a source of income.

Brett says the biggest criticisms of other ride-sharing platforms has been unfair work practices.

“Scooti is prioritising driver rewards and incentive programs,” he says.

“We want people to feel good about using Scooti and trust that our drivers are being looked after.”

Scooti service

The service will operate daily from 5am to 10pm “within a tight geographical distance from Melbourne’s CBD”.

All Scooti drivers have to complete comprehensive driver checks, including police and medical checks, accreditation by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria, and hold full, unrestricted motorcycle licenses issued by an Australian state or territory.

Riders are also vetted by Scooti for hygiene, presentation, communication and safety.

Scooti plans to have female riders available for women who want to ride with a female.

Riders can use their own scooter or hire one from Scooti partners Ridely.Scooti ride-sharing scooter service

While these peer-to-peer services are escalating around the world, there are a few hurdles for riders.

They include:

  • Carrying the right size helmet for all passengers;
  • the varying standards of safety gear passengers wear; and 
  • the cost of insurance which is already high for motorcyclists. Imagine how much higher it would be if you are using your bike or scooter as a taxi service!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com