Zipp Mobility has launched a new shared e-bike service in Dublin in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as part of a pilot scheme.
As Zipp’s first micromobility operation in Ireland, an unspecified number of e-bikes will now be available to rent in various locations across the county.
To start a ride, users need to download Zipp’s app, create an account and scan an e-bike. The startup plans to launch daily, weekly and monthly passes in the coming weeks.
Zipp has spent the last few years scaling its e-scooter sharing business across eight cities in the UK and Poland.
CEO and Founder of Zipp Mobility Charlie Gleeson made the announcement at NovaUCD (University College Dublin), an innovation hub where the firm is headquartered.
Speaking at the launch event, he said: “We started Zipp to bring sustainable, safe and community-centric transport solutions to Irish towns and cities, so we are so excited to be able to finally launch on home soil.
“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is a true trailblazer in the sustainable mobility space, and we are so proud to be partnering with them as we seek to bring ‘mobility done right’ to Irish communities.”
Pricing has not yet been revealed, but the operator has said it is looking to expand its e-bike services to other cities across the country later this year.
Once the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is passed into law, Zipp also plans to launch its shared e-scooter services in several Irish towns and cities, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kildare and Waterford.
E-mobility solution providers Bleeper and Moby already have e-bike licenses in Dún Laoghaire.
Councillor Lettie McCarthy, Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, added: “I welcome the issuing of a further temporary Bike Share Licence to Zipp Mobility. These low cost bike share schemes can encourage more people to cycle over short trips, especially those who do not own a bike.”
