Estonian e-bike giant Bolt is to launch its sharing scheme in Sligo

The firm is the largest micromobility operator in Europe with 100 million customers across more than 170 cities

Bolt says cycling constituted only 1pc of transport for those in education or work. Photo: Natalia Ibarra

Fearghal O'Connor

May 15 2022 02:30 AM

Micromobility giant Bolt is to launch its first Irish electric bike service in Sligo at the beginning of next month.

The Estonian firm, the largest micromobility operator in Europe with 100 million customers across more than 170 cities in 20 countries, plans to put in place a 100 bike pilot scheme in the town.

The new service will kick off in the coming weeks and includes an investment by Bolt in lasting bike parking infrastructure for Sligo.

The shared electric bikes will cost 15 cent per minute of usage.

Bolt, which describes itself as a “mobility super-app”, aims to help accelerate the transition from owned cars to shared mobility, offering alternatives, including ride-hailing, shared cars, scooters and e-bikes, as well as food and grocery delivery.

Bolt was founded in 2013 by Markus Villig, then a 19-year-old high-school student, and has since become one of Europe’s fastest growing companies. In January it announced that it had raised €628m, taking its value to €7.4bn.

“Sligo is an ideal town in which to launch Bolt’s e-bikes in Ireland, with the growing university, recent increased investment in cycling infrastructure and real public support for making sustainable choices,” said Aisling Dunne, head of public policy for Ireland at Bolt.

“We’re excited to support a forward-thinking council determined to provide alternatives to private car use. We know from Bolt research that only one in 10 Irish car owners currently see themselves being able to give up their private vehicle,” Dunne said.

She noted that cycling constituted only 1pc of transport for those in education or work and only 2pc in Sligo Town.