3 Successful Operator-Vehicle Solution Provider Partnerships in 2024

In partnership with Segway

2024 has given us many twists and turns in a difficult time for the industry. It’s never been more important to minimise operational, maintenance, and recycling costs over a vehicle's lifecycle. But shared mobility continues to thrive in Europe despite some difficult economic conditions.

 There are several key examples of this:

• Paris 2024 Olympic Games 
• The Rise of Ryde
• Blending of public and private models

1 million rides for Dott at Paris 2024

The Paris Olympics of 2024 showcased a remarkable partnership between Dott and Segway, marking a significant moment for micromobility, just after the ban of scooters in Paris. With over 15,000 e-bikes deployed during the Games, the collaboration recorded over one million rides in six weeks—a 70% increase compared to the previous year.

Whilst the Olympics were taking place, Segway and Dott offered 10,000 free 20-minute rides.

“By expanding our offerings to include free rides, we aimed to demonstrate the practical benefits and efficiency of e-bike services, especially during such a globally significant event as the Olympics. Paris's significant investment in cycling infrastructure, supported by progressive government policies, facilitated this large-scale adoption of sustainable transport solutions."
— Michael Luan, Product Director of Commercial Mobility Business Division at Segway-Ninebot

This partnership showcased the power of collaboration in enhancing urban mobility. 117,000 battery swaps and 3,200 on-street repairs were made, ensuring that the fleet remained operational and accessible.

The Rise of Ryde in the Nordics

Beyond France, the micromobility landscape in Europe is becoming clearer: some operators have disappeared, and market leaders on a national level are becoming clear. 

Norwegian operator Ryde has grown to around 50,000 vehicles, and generated €28.35m in revenue in 2023, posting a positive EBIT of €6.19m (21.8%). By concentrating on building strong positions in specific markets rather than spreading resources too thinly across numerous cities, Ryde has successfully captured significant market share in Norway and Finland. This is similar to Dott’s approach of only going for European cities with the most potential.

Tri-City’s Innovative Bikeshare System

In Poland, the launch of the Mevo 2.0 bikeshare system has further demonstrated the potential of micromobility solutions. Covering the Tri-City region of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot, this new service saw an astounding 138,000 unique users in just two months. Operated by INURBA Mobility, Mevo 2.0 is notable not only for its scale but also because it is one of the few public bike systems to be deployed at scale with a dockless model.

During the initial phase, the service was offered for free, resulting in an impressive influx of new users—nearly 1 in 5 residents in Gdańsk tried the bikeshare system.

Broadly speaking, the main benefit of a public bike share system is that, for the user, it is cheaper. The system is usually subsidised by the city or local authority, meaning that it is hard for privately-owned bike schemes to compete. However, quality of service is usually a huge plus for privately-run schemes - and this is attractive for users. By combining both, Mevo has been a massive success. The AMBici scheme serving the region of Barcelona has also done something similar. 

Total Cost of Ownership: the key topic for Segway

Segway aims to be more than just a provider of affordable vehicles; it focuses on optimizing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for micromobility operators. TCO encompasses not only the initial vehicle cost but also the operational, maintenance, and recycling costs over the vehicle's lifecycle.

Segway’s strategy focuses on delivering innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective micromobility solutions that help operators build profitable, long-term, and environmentally responsible businesses. With the European market’s evolving regulatory landscape, this becomes increasingly important.

1. Product Focus and Durability: New Segway scooters are built to last for 5 years or  30,000 km and undergo rigorous testing to ensure longevity and reduced operational costs. Perfect for cities like Paris where shared vehicles are used many times each day. 
   
2. Technological Innovation: Segway has integrated AI-driven solutions for safety, operational efficiency, and fleet management. For example, the  Segway Pilot series offers lane and pedestrian detection.
   
3. Long-Term Partnerships: New extended 12-month warranty, covers key vehicle components and potentially reduces annual component costs by up to 20%.