Paris has teamed up with European e-scooter leader Tier and shared micromobility operator Dott to deploy a fleet of 15,000 electric bikes manufactured by Chinese giant Segway in a new green transportation initiative.
The e-bikes are facilitating mobility during the 2024 Olympics, aligning with the French government's pledge to make the Games sustainable and travel friendly.
By scanning the bicycle's QR code with a smartphone, riders can pedal away. The bike-sharing services allow users to pick up or drop off a bike almost anywhere.
The e-bikes can automatically provide additional power assistance when riders encounter challenging terrains or inclines, enabling them to navigate the streets with greater ease. They are also equipped with wireless charging capabilities, and riders can conveniently charge their mobile devices during journey.
"The bike is fun. It's really comfortable to be pedal-assisted, and I really like that it charges my phone while I'm riding. I think this is the only brand that I've seen that charges the phone, so wonderful addition to the whole experience," said Sam, a tourist from the U.S.
Tier and Dott have recently closed a financial deal to merge the two companies. Dott, a Dutch-French micromobility company headquartered in Amsterdam, regards Segway as an important strategic partner, according to an executive of the company.
"Eco quality is extremely important for us, it's important for our users, and this is why we partner with the Chinese company. Segway is now our main partner for all of our vehicles, for bikes and for scooters," said Louis Tronel, Director of Commercial Strategy, Dott.
Paris revamps urban mobility with 15,000 Chinese-made shared electric bikes amid Olympics
