Problem/isuue
In recent years, population is increasing in urban environments, which is resulting in a change of mobility patterns creating new market opportunities. It is necessary to promote more sustainable forms of transport in the city, and to achieve that, administrations are promoting the use of bicycles.
The bicycle is the most efficient mode of transport in urban areas for trips under 8km of distance. For electric bicycles, distance increases above 15km. The use of bicycles as a way of transport has many benefits to society as a whole, environmental benefits, reduce sedentary, improves cardiovascular health, easy-of-use, low cost, etc. In addition, the use of bicycles is widespread throughout the world, all cultures, economic levels, age, gender...
In this sense, and according to the EU bicycle policy challenges governments have promoted different strategies to promote their use, such as bike lanes, 30 zones, traffic lights for bicycle, bike sharing systems (conventional and electrical), simple parking, among others, that are resulting in an increase of the use of private bicycle as a mode of transport in cities. However, one of the main challenges that cities and Europe are currently facing is the theft of bicycles.
This increase creates the need to manage parking on destinations. In this way, users are demanding secure parking due to the high number of bicycle thefts that occur in cities. The promotional campaigns of the bicycle tend to draw attention to the need to protect the bike properly using the anti-theft devices. However, despite these measures, the theft remains the main obstacle for the private use of the bicycle as a mode of transport. Therefore, companies are developing new parking solutions with built-in safety systems to satisfy these needs.
In this context and in order to tackle one of the main EU bicycle challenges, VADECITY creates VADEBIKE (product) and SMART BIKING (service), an innovative product and service of bicycle parking: smart, safe, easy-of-use, with high efficiency of the utilization of the space, good cost efficiency and added value for money.
Society
The bicycle sector is undergoing a high development; currently more countries around the world are starting to significantly increase bicycle usage given their multiple benefits. However, theft remains the main obstacle for the private use of the bicycle as a mode of transport, being one of the main challenges that cities are facing. In order to solve such problem, companies such as Vadecity are developing new parking solutions with built-in safety systems.
The great success of the bicycle is caused by the aggregation of several benefits, which help people to improve their standard of living. Amongst the benefits people consider important when choosing the bicycle as their means of transport we find:
1. Inexpensive. Apart from walking, it is the cheapest vehicle to buy, maintain, keep and use. Moreover, there is no need for a special permission to use it.
2. Quickness. Specially in cities. For routes under 8 kilometres it is the fastest vehicle. It avoids traffic jams and it also allows parking to not be a problem.
3. Respectful with the environment. Bicycles do not emit contaminants into the atmosphere. Additionally, less public space is occupied, helping to reduce traffic jams.
4. Silent. It is one of the most silent vehicles. This is considered a benefit as noise affects negatively to mental and physical health.
5. Attractive.Public opinion appears to be less favourable to the use of cars. In fact, 73% of the European population considers that bicycles should enjoy preferential treatment compared to the car.
6. Safety. Although bicycles seem to be prone to accidents, their risk is similar to those of cars, even in some age ranges the risk is much lower. Moreover, it is studied that the more bicycles there are in a city, the less mortal accidents there are.
7. Healthy. It helps the user to be healthy at both a physical and psychological level.
Due to the numerous benefits, the standard of living of users is improved as it is a healthy alternative to traditional transportation. Moreover, its respect for the environment also helps both users and not users to live in a less polluted atmosphere.
Smart Biking service will become a strong tool of knowledge and management in real time of the mobility in urban environments, to be managed by the Administrations in order to organise parking and mobility, and reduce thefts of bikes.
Overall objectives
The main goal of the project is to validate the product (VADEBIKE) and service (SMART BIKING) for expansion in Europe and rest of the world market, creating new opportunities. In this sense, the implementation of 150 secure bicycle spaces that VADECITY is carrying out into the city of Barcelona, will be used as a living lab for gathering and analysing data to develop a consistent and feasible business plan.
