Hop on, zip around and drop off cycles anywhere in the city soon

Want to go out on a quick errand, but dread the traffic? A Bengaluru-based startup will offer you a hassle-free ride with the launch of an app-based bicycle service soon.

'Yulu' is a mobile app through which one can rent dockless bicycles. The app allows you  to book a cycle like booking a cab.

The startup aims to solve traffic congestion by providing first-mile, last-mile and short-distance commutes.

While the BBMP and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) are still working on a bicycle-sharing scheme for the city, Yulu plans to launch its services with a few hundred bicycles by the end of this month. The smart bicycle uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to track movement, locating the cycle and safety of riders.

Yulu is co-founded by Amit Gupta, R K Misra, Naveen Dachuri and Hemant Gupta.  

Gupta, CEO of Yulu, told DH, "Our main aim is to reduce traffic congestion and promote cycling for the last-mile connectivity, besides making Bengaluru green and pollution free."

How it works

The users can book cycles via the iOS or Android app, and the bikes can be unlocked via QR codes. After the use, the rider can park the cycle anywhere in the dedicated cycle space.

Riders are charged for every 30 minutes of use. While the bill can be paid through mobile wallets, Yulu also plans to introduce passes to daily users.  The  rates will range from Rs 5 to Rs 10 for the first 30 minutes.

Regarding the parking space for these cycles, Gupta said, "Since there is no public space for bicycles in the city, we will create dedicated bicycle spaces near colleges, apartments, malls and public transport stations (metro, bus and railway stations). We are also in talks with civic authorities for cycle lanes and they are positive about the project," he  added.

Yulu is  self-funded and the startup was possible with help from friends, Gupta said.  Yulu has enough capital to get it through the nine months, but plans to raise money from investors in the coming days.

After the recent success of  the 'Trin Trin' bicycle-sharing scheme in Mysuru, the cabinet in September cleared the project for Bengaluru. DULT and the BBMP are to launch 6,000 cycles at Rs 80 crore.

Meanwhile, cab aggregator Ola recently started a cycle-sharing programme in IIT Kanpur and is gearing up to launch it in other cities too.