JUMP E-Bikes Available In London Through Uber

Uber has launched JUMP e-bikes in London, with a pilot program of 350 bikes in the Islington Borough and a plan to bring the service to other parts of the city in the near future, according to a report.

Uber was almost pushed out of London completely by regulators who almost pulled the company’s taxi operating license, and it recently added a public transportation section to its app to appease officials. The bikes are another step in that direction.

It costs £1 to initially unlock the bike, and then the first five minutes of riding are free. After that, it costs £0.12 per minute. The bike responds to a person’s pressure on the pedals, and can travel up to 15 miles an hour. When a person is finished using the bike, they can lock it up inside a designated range. If they go outside the range, the app will warn them and there will be a £25 fee.

“There is now one more transport alternative for the 3.5 million people who use the Uber app in the capital,” said Jamie Heywood, Uber’s GM for Northern and Eastern Europe. “Over time, it’s our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options – whether cars, bikes or public transport – all in the Uber app.”

Christian Freese, the general manager of JUMP, said he hopes the bikes will make people want to use more alternative transportation. “We’re excited to bring JUMP bikes to Islington, our first launch in London. With our electric bikes, we hope to encourage more people to try an environmentally friendly way to get across the city,” he said. “Our JUMP bikes have been designed with safety in mind, with a sturdy frame and a bright red color that makes them visible to other road users. The app explains features of the bike before your first trip so you can ride confidently. We encourage everyone to think about wearing a helmet, follow all traffic laws and break early and gradually.”