Tag Archive: Shared e-bike

  1. Segway powers Paris’s shared mobility

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    Source: Zag Daily

    In Paris, the majority of the 18,000 shared e-bike fleet is provided by LEVA-EU member Segway, with different models deployed by two of the three operators, offering a choice for riders of varying ages, physical abilities, and for diverse trip purposes.

    Operators Dott, Voi and Lime were selected to provide the French capital’s shared e-bike services for a four-year term from 1 October 2025, providing the city with key public micromobility options, following the ban of shared e-scooters in 2023. Segway has worked closely with both Dott and Voi on developing specific e-bike models tailored to the Paris streets and its riders, and spoke to Zag Daily about the partnerships.

    A collaborative approach

    The Paris e-bike fleets of both Dott and Voi are provided by Segway, and the models are the result of extensive cooperative design and R&D between Segway as vehicle solution provider, and the individual operating companies.

    Nicolas Gorse, Chief Business Officer at Dott, says: “The vehicle is absolutely central to the quality of service we deliver, and hence our profitability. The right design can extend vehicle lifespan, reduce maintenance needs, and optimise efficiency. All of these factors have a direct impact on our bottom line, so we place a strong emphasis on the vehicles we select and the partners we work with.”

    The Dott model which has been deployed on Paris streets is the Urban B200, which underwent months of testing in the city, enabling Segway and Dott to launch an e-bike tailored to local riding behaviour and rider habits.

    Gorse added, “We’re particularly grateful that we had the opportunity to co-develop the Urban B200 to this extent and to fully tailor it to the needs of our users. Working in true collaboration with providers is a real chance for our industry to raise the bar and deliver better experiences for riders.”

    Durability and reliability are key

    Zack Yan, Vice General Manager of the Commercial Mobility Business Division at Segway, spoke of the learnings from the company’s past operations in Paris. “It became evident that vehicle features must go beyond delivering good rides – they must endure long usage, require minimal maintenance, support swappable components, and be efficiently serviceable.”

    The Urban B200 used by Dott is equipped with a 918Wh battery, providing up to 120 km of range per charge. Gorse highlighted that, from an operator’s point of view, important attributes such as long-lasting batteries, a strong frame, minimised maintenance and comfortable features are “all contributing to a lower total cost of ownership. In a city like Paris, where demand is high and reliability is key, durability, longer battery range and improved energy efficiency translates into higher fleet availability, more rides per vehicle, better “end of ride” feedback from users and better unit economics.”

    Operator Voi has chosen the Urban A200P model, which has also been specifically tailored with Segway. Durable features include a swappable IPX7 waterproof battery, puncture-free tyres, and a wheel locking system for enhanced theft protection. For user convenience, features include a multifunctional dashboard and wireless phone charging, while the Urban B200 carries user-friendly features such as a torque sensor providing smooth pedalling, phone holders, and versatile open-design baskets.

    Tried and tested

    The most recent deployment in Paris is not Segway’s first activity in the city. During the 2024 Olympic Games, Dott rolled out a fleet of 15,000 e-bikes, all supplied by Segway. Over the course of the sporting event, over one million rides were recorded. Yan says, “Paris runs one of the largest shared micromobility operations in Europe,” says Yan. “With millions of residents and tourists, the city offers unmatched visibility and usage levels, making it a strategic showcase market for e-bike providers.”

    Segway also has also gained solid experience from Oslo, where it provides 67% of the fleet of 16,000 e-scooters through operators Voi and Ryde. Yan says, “Powering a large fleet in Oslo means constantly optimising for operational efficiency: easy maintenance, long battery life, and minimising service disruptions.”

    It has implemented a robust feedback system, enabling it to tackle operators’ pain points and to fine-tune vehicle engineering, service support and operations in a proactive and timely manner.

    Versatility of approach

    Yan spoke of Segway’s strategy in offering multiple products for single locations. “By offering a diversified product portfolio within a single city, we’re empowering operators to better serve a broader spectrum of users – riders of different ages, physical abilities, and trip purposes.”

    Reflecting on Paris as an e-bike only city when it comes to shared mobility, he highlighted the significance of its approach to sustainable mobility elsewhere. “From a broader perspective, Paris provides a real-world proving ground for what a high-volume, e-bike-first city looks like. The insights gained here not only benefit our deployments in Paris, but also inform our global e-bike strategy – strengthening our position as a go-to vehicle solution provider for cities prioritising sustainable, bike-centric mobility.”

  2. Shared e-scooters and bikes fill gaps in public transport routes

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    Source: LEVERAGE

    These light electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for short urban trips, particularly on routes not served by tram or bus lines. Initial research from the Leverage project, a Dutch collaborative initiative involving knowledge institutions, businesses, and government agencies, highlights how these light electric vehicles (LEVs) are being used to complement public transport.

    “The total market share of shared mobility isn’t large, but it is popular on certain intersections in the city. Young people, in particular, use it to get to their destinations quickly,” explains Paul van de Coevering, lecturer in urban mobility planning at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS) and project leader at Leverage.

    Leverage is a four-year program designed to translate insights on LEV usage into actionable municipal policies. One of its key findings is that shared mobility can significantly enhance urban transport systems by providing last-mile solutions and serving areas where public transportation coverage is less efficient.

    Van de Coevering notes that better coordination of shared mobility and public transport can offer municipalities many benefits, “For example, if you want fewer cars in the city. And consider bicycle parking facilities at train stations. If people use shared bikes or scooters instead of their own, the parking facilities can be smaller in places where space is often scarce and expensive.”

    The research also examines the impact of LEVs on car ownership and usage, reporting that although electric bicycles have become widely adopted, the overall market share of LEVs remains relatively limited. Nevertheless, its findings have implied that purchasing an electric bicycle or scooter does lead to a reduction in car use for many riders. About half of LEV users report riding their electric bike or scooter more frequently than their car after acquisition, although only one in ten completely replaces car ownership.

    Beyond usage statistics, Leverage has explored how LEVs affect urban mobility experiences. Van de Coevering and his team conducted field studies in Breda using sensors, GPS, and smart glasses to monitor riding behavior, stress levels, and route choices as cyclists navigated around fat bikes, e-scooters, and cargo bikes. Leverage’s research has indicated that LEVs do not produce measurable stress for other road users, although certain vehicles, such as heavy electric fat bikes, have sparked public debate regarding safety regulations. A follow-up study is planned in Eindhoven, where researchers will evaluate cyclist behavior under heavier traffic conditions.

    All research results will be shared with consortium participants and, where possible, made available to municipalities, public transport providers, consultancy firms, and knowledge institutions. These findings are intended to inform policymaking and guide practical measures to support the mobility transition.

    Leverage is also holding an Experience Day on October 28, with a morning session for private consortium discussions, followed by an afternoon opportunity to test LEVs and hear insights from speakers. The day concludes with a networking session to discuss mobility solutions. Register to attend here.