Public Bike Sharing Company SmartBike officially launched its operations in Chandigarh in collaboration with Chandigarh Smart City Limited at an event held at Rock Gardens. V.P. Singh Badnore, Governor, Punjab & Administrator – Chandigarh, inaugurated the Public Bike Sharing service, along with Kamal Kishor Yadav, CEO – Chandigarh Smart City and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, Advisor Manoj Parida, Home Secretary, Arun Kumar Gupta, Mayor, Smt. Raj Bala Malik in presence of D V Manohar, Vice President World Cycling Alliance and Chairman & Dharmin Dontamsetti, Managing Director, SmartBike Mobility Pvt. Ltd and other dignitaries.
SmartBike is launching with 225 bikes across 25 locations in the city. These bikes include 100 electric bikes that help make the commuting faster and more efficient. The SmartBike stations will also have the NextGen bikes, a shaft driven, magnesium alloy wheels bicycle. This Public Bike Service System is fully automated which is operated by a state of the art, robust “SmartBike” mobile app. A rider can locate the closest bike station, unlock the bike and ride with the APP.
The process of rent and return is digital and can be used on a smartphone. The riders can easily rent and return through an APP from any SmartBike station and return at a similar SmartBike station in the city.
This APP shows the nearest bike station, number of bikes available at the station, route to reach nearest bike station and captures all the post ride details like distance travelled, calories burnt etc.“SmartBike uses state of the art Smart bicycles, which are custom designed for Indian roads and fitted with a secure lock system. Each bicycle is integrated with a smartphone APP which gives a rider, better access, and convenience to ride it.
The pandemic led to an increased interest in cycling, being the approved social distanced way of commute and fitness. Across the world, Public Bike Sharing has gained tremendous importance owing to its multitude of benefits. City planners see cycling playing a key role in urban mobility to reduce congestion as well as making a positive impact on the environment. In addition, it is also economical, time efficient and a healthier mode of commute.
“We’re delighted to launch SmartBike Electric in Chandigarh, the country’s cycling capital. Our electric bikes are the best in the country and we believe these will be game changer for urban mobility in India,” said Dharmin Dontamsetti, MD, SmartBike Mobility. Electric bikes can go up to 25 km/h of speed with a battery life of upto 40 km distance, making them the most viable option not just for last-mile commute, but also for potentially longer distances.
An avid cyclist himself, Mr. D.V. Manohar, Chairman, SmartBike Mobility and also Vice President, World Cycling Alliance said “Over the next 18 months, SmartBike will have over 600 bike stations and 5000 bikes in Chandigarh. The city has necessary infrastructure to make cycling safer and the preferred mode of commute. It is our earnest endeavour to make Chandigarh, the Cycling Citadel of not only India but Asia.”
 Xitij Kothi, Co-founder, Vidyut and Gaurav Gupta, CGO, JSW MG Motor India_20240930152515_original_image_30.webp)
