Uber Partners With Yulu For eBike Trial In India

Uber announced that it is partnering with leading technology-driven mobility platform Yulu to provide users with the option to ride eBikes and bicycles in Bengaluru, India.

With pollution levels in most Indian metropolitan cities among the highest in the world, the bikes are an eco-friendly alternative to automobiles. The ridesharing giant noted that the eBikes can clock a speed of 25 km/hr (the average traffic speed in those cities is 20km/hr), and users don’t even need a license to ride them.

“Using IoT as the backbone of the operation, these dockless bicycles can be rented seamlessly on a pay-per-use basis. Cities in India are seeing traffic get more clogged by the minute, and these micro-mobility options would go a long way in reducing traffic snarls, saving time for the riders and reducing carbon emissions. Add to it the pleasant weather of Bengaluru, and traveling to and from the urban centers and metro stations just got a whole lot faster. Through this tie-up, Uber riders can now book eBikes and bicycles in just a few taps,” Uber said in a press release.

The Yulu eBikes can be unlocked with QR codes on a user’s smartphone. The companies are even offering the first three rides for free for first-time users. Bikes can be reserved by tapping on the “Try Yulu” option on the Uber app and following the prompts. Uber can locate and unlock a bike, as long as the app has permission to access one’s location and camera.

“Along with being environment and traffic friendly, these self-ride eBikes are also pocket-friendly, taking into account the varying needs and budgets of the consumer. We understand that the push [toward] electrification has to be multi-modal, and the collaboration with Yulu only goes to demonstrate the intent therein,” according to the release.