Amsterdam opens up to 700 shared electric scooters in 2020
Just confirmed by Gemeente Amsterdam: two companies will be allowed to run a fleet of 350 escooters each by the end of this year (2020). That means seven hundred electric scooters (and I do mean mopeds) should be available later in 2020. This is an amazing growth stepping up from a temporary license that felyx used to have. They are operating just over a hundred vehicles since the summer of 2017.
It has been a promise for years
And the moment is finally here (Dutch). Without the current situation the decision was already planned for March. So I’m quite impressed the news is waiting to be announced officially (Dutch). Now updated with the statement by the Gemeente itself.
During 2017, 2018 & 2019
Felyx has been rockin’ the streets of the city. Countless times I’ve used them on my way to a rental car, to see a friend or even just to race to a cinema with only ten minutes left to make it there in time. On average when I spot a felyx scooter it’s actually in use and on the move. This to me is what matters with shared mobility: I want to see these vehicles in action. Not parked all day. I have high expectations for the year 2020. Will there actually be a huge increase in usage now that later this year the scooters will be roaming much bigger parts of town? Will you be able to ride to Noord and park it there? The Bijlmer? Tell me!
What’s mobility if it doesn’t take you anywhere
As a lover of anything on two wheels I like to ride around town and in fact when you go together it can actually be cheap compared to public transport. What counts is that mobility sohould be available to all. This is where Check comes in. They have been hyper aggressive entering the market of shared scooters in Rotterdam this winter. Free minutes were everywhere (don’t miss their Instagram), visiting friends I could ride all around town without spending a dime. Meanwhile all these moving scooters are the best commercial one could ever think of.
In Rotterdam Check has been helping local businesses
Getting people safely and swiftly to their hair dresser, acupuncture specialist and other appointments. I look forward to seeing these useful promotions in Amsterdam as well. When I look at the job offers though, I wonder when we will really see the Check scooters on the streets of Amsterdam. If you are job hunting, check out felyx! They are ready for big bang expansion around Europe.
Competition for Felyx
For over two years, the Amsterdam escooter market has been felyx and nothing more. The uptake has been quick, even my dad has many hours of experience riding them. During summer and winter as well!
The helmets (Amsterdam introduced obligatory usage only in 2019!) didn’t prove to be an issue. With more news on the horizon. Felyx started out using Govecs machines, quite expensive at €5000,-. Check opened up shop using NIU machines in Rotterdam. Late in November, 2019 felyx added NIU vehicles to the Amsterdam fleet. On the back you will find a topcase for two helmets. Check will bring the unu 2.0 to the streets in 2020 and that means helmets don’t need their own case!
The soon to arrive in Amsterdam: unu 2.0 shared Check edition