Zipp Mobility launches shared e-bike service in Dublin

Credit: Zipp Mobility - Pictured is Councillor Lettie McCarthy, Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (left), and Charlie Gleeson, CEO and founder of Zipp Mobility (right).

Irish micro-mobility operator Zipp Mobility (Zipp) has announced the launch of its new shared e-bike service in Dublin as part of a pilot scheme, in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

While the company is already a significant player in the European e-scooter sharing market, with operations in eight cities in the UK and Poland, the launch of the Dún Laoghaire e-bike service represents Zipp’s first micro-mobility operation in Ireland.

The micro-mobility operator plans to launch shared e-bike services in other cities across the country in late 2022, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kildare and Waterford, once the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is passed into law.

Now, e-bikes will be available to rent in various locations across the county, with the Zipp fleet scaling up over time. Users only need to download the Zipp Mobility app, create an account and scan an e-bike to start their ride. Users are asked to start and finish all rides at designated parking locations and Sheffield bike stands. In the coming weeks, daily, weekly and monthly passes will also be launched.

In Dublin, Zipp’s operation will use only zero-emission vehicles, such as e-cargo bikes. A local team will also be hired to run the operation and avoid the gig-economy staffing model that is used by some shared micro-mobility operators.

Speaking at the launch event at NovaUCD, Charlie Gleeson, CEO and Founder of Zipp Mobility, said: “We started Zipp to bring sustainable, safe and community-centric transport solutions to Irish towns and cities, so we are so excited to be able to finally launch on home soil. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are a true trailblazer in the sustainable mobility space, and we are so proud to be partnering with them as we seek to bring ‘mobility done right’ to Irish communities.”

Councillor Lettie McCarthy, Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said: “I welcome the issuing of a further temporary Bike Share Licence to Zipp Mobility. These low-cost bike share schemes can encourage more people to cycle over short trips, especially those who do not own a bike.”

Zipp Mobility currently has a staff network of 25, based between its offices in Dublin, UK, Spain and Poland, and is looking to create 50 new jobs in Ireland alone over the next year.