‘Coming out of trial mode, more stations to be set up’
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Jan 1: Kashmir’s first e-bicycle sharing system which was put to trial earlier in Srinagar has received a resoundingly positive reaction, compelling those behind the project to expand the number of docking stations throughout the city and expand the fleet of bikes to meet the demand.
The e-bicycle sharing system has been started by a Kashmir-based start-up ‘Curve Electric,’ whose founder, Sheikh Yameen told Excelsior that they have received immense response from locals as well as tourists who are frequently using the e-bicycles service.
“Three stations have been established: one at KU, one at Ghat Number 8 along Dal Lake, where tourists commonly use the service and are quite happy and satisfied, and one at TRC, ” Yameen said.
According to him, they are already recording between 70 and 80 rides per day, which is encouraging, and may push the program out of the trial stage and allow it to expand its footprint around the city.
While, as of now, 3 docking stations are up and running, ‘Curve Electric’ is planning to take the number of stations across the city to 8 in a week or so. The stations that will be available across the city will include Ghat Number 8, Nehru Park, Nishat, KU, Lal Chowk, TRC, Islamia College and Bemina.
With that, the fleet strength will also touch 50 while eventually the concerned are eyeing to have nearly 200 e-bicycles on the fleet by March across the city if everything goes as per the plan.
Pertinently, the bicycles are available on a rental basis while the customers can use the service by visiting any docking station and can pick up the bike after presenting the required identification credentials and a mobile number. After finishing the journey, the consumer leaves the bike at any available docking station.
Concerning the charges, as of now, 90 paise are being charged from the users per minute, while for the students, ‘Curve Electric’ will be coming up with dedicated subscription plans in the months to come.
The electric bicycle that is up for rent, travels at a speed of 25 km/h and has been specially designed to withstand Kashmir’s climatic conditions. According to the start-up, there is no learning curve for using the service, and the entire setup is manual on the front end while being high-tech on the back end.
Yameen said that they have in this regard partnered with Srinagar Smart City Ltd which has provided them with the necessary and required space across the city for the docking stations. “They have been cooperative concerning the initiative which is being witnessed for the first time in Kashmir,” he said.
One of the tourists who identified himself as Gautam said that riding a bicycle gives the real pleasure in exploring the beauty nature has to present around Dal Lake.
“It is a great initiative because, apart from taking care of the environment, the e-bicycle system helps us explore beauty in a much better way,” he said.
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