Coimbatore: Though China-based bicycle-sharing platform Mobike has decided not to offer its service in the city after the civic body refused to take responsibility for the bicycles,
Metrobikes, a Bengaluru-based rental start-up for two wheelers, plans to launch a three-month pilot project at Vadavalli within a month.
Metrobikes plans to deploy 500 bicycles and is identifying parking lots in the area, a senior corporation official said. “With the Bharathiyar University nearby, the locality is one of the most suitable places for a bicycle-sharing system. We wanted to test the region specifically before implementing similar systems across the city,” the official told TOI.
The company might introduce up to 5,000 bicycles at Vadavalli, depending upon the demand. “Metrobikes plans to charge Rs 10 for the first one hour of use and from then, Rs 5 per hour. Users have to pay Rs 99 as deposit. The bicycles could also be taken out on monthly rent. Moreover, the company plans to introduce battery-operated bicycles here,” the official said.
Operators in this segment are worried about theft and vandalism. Over 200 bicycles owned by Ofo, one of the world’s largest bicycle-sharing platforms that had launched its service in the city some months ago under a pilot project, had gone missing. The company withdrew from the city in July.
Metrobikes will be locked with metallic locks to check theft. The company plans to introduce a mobile-based app to lock the bicycles as well extra security measures. It has sought the assistance of the police department to safeguard them.
