India is likely to become the next bike-sharing hub due to its ever-increasing population. China-based startups are now focusing on India to make the most of this opportunity.
Alibaba backed startup Ofo recently revealed that it has successfully completed 1.1 million rides in India till March 2018 after launching in November 2017. There can be several reasons for this and let us have a look at some the major factors that show India’s emergence in the bike-sharing market.
1. Burden on public transport
In cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, people prefer to use public transport vehicles for their daily tasks. Although the government is trying to improve the public transport, it is very difficult to handle the situation due to the urbanization. Bicycle-sharing can relieve pressure from overcrowded public transport routes, mainly for the for short trips.
2. Reducing road congestion
Indian roads are known for their slow-moving traffic. The bike sharing service can help in reducing the congestion on roads which automatically will contribute to the reduction in road accidents.
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3. Economic benefits
Results from other countries have shown that bicycle-share systems are decreasing journey times. It is also increasing the efficiency of workers as they feel more connected with the environment. This is saving their time as the time which was earlier given to healthcare things such as gym and running is now being saved.
4. Encouraging tourism
Tourists face many issues when they visit a new country. One of them is not able to get transport vehicles on time. Also, the local autorickshaw riders make them pay a very high amount. Convenient bike-sharing systems make it easier for tourists to visit new places.
According to a report, nearly half of all drivers spend more than 12 hours a week stuck on the roads. Pollution from cars adds to the environmental problems. Cycling was very popular among Indians, its usage decreased due to the impact of western thinking among Indians. Now, the trend is coming back as awareness towards health and environment is increasing.
