{"id":8132,"date":"2021-10-01T14:00:33","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T14:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1368700"},"modified":"2021-10-01T14:00:33","modified_gmt":"2021-10-01T14:00:33","slug":"swapfiets-disrupts-bike-hiring-and-asserts-their-green-cred","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=8132","title":{"rendered":"Swapfiets disrupts bike hiring and asserts their green cred"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the last decade\u2019s real advantages has been the introduction of new business models in micromobility. An example is <\/span>Swapfiets<\/span><\/a>, which is the world\u2019s first \u201cbicycle as a service\u201d company. <\/span><\/p>\n

We were, therefore, thrilled to have their CEO, Marc de Vries, take the stage at the TNW 2021 conference and tell us more about how the company is disrupting bike sustainability<\/span><\/p>\n

Founded in 2014 in the Netherlands, the scale-up has over 220,000 members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria, and the UK.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept of Swapfiets is quite simple: For a monthly subscription fee, Swapfiets members receive a fully functional bicycle or e-mobility solution for their own use. If needed, a repair service is available within 48 hours to repair or directly swap the two-wheeler at no additional cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenges of micromobility during COVID-19<\/span><\/h2>\n

Three students founded the company in 2014. Marc de Vries joined as CEO in January \u2014 yes, right in the middle of a pandemic<\/a> when everyone was working from home. His earliest challenge was getting to know the company and getting a grip on the company\u2019s culture. He noted:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Culture is what you see when other people aren\u2019t watching<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Then, there\u2019s the pressure of coming on board, with an organization growing as its owners matured. As he explained: <\/span><\/p>\n

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If people ask me, \u201dWhat is it you really bring?\u201d I\u2019d say focus. The company is full of great ideas and energy. Therefore, I\u2019m making sure every great idea can be validated and executed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Further, the company is not immune to the difficulties of the <\/span>semiconductor chip shortage<\/span><\/a>. Chips are embedded into both the batteries and the bikes themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, the impact was reduced by a valuable partnership. They collaborated to order chips in bulk with suppliers Bosch and Shimano.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sustainability-first and a move towards a circular economy <\/span><\/h2>\n

Swapfiets is a company that is leading the sector by greening their workflow. Take bike tires. Tires are usually tough to recycle. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Italian tire company Vittoria to improve performance and extend the lifespan of their electric bikes<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vittoria
<\/i><\/a>Swapfiets is changing the world of bike tires by renting them from the supplier, Vittoria.<\/figcaption>