How to start your business with the appropriate bike-sharing business plan?
May 7, 2021
min. read
“It is a rapidly growing global phenomenon: bikes of different breeds zipping through cities, being picked up and deposited at will. They belong to companies, not members of the public. The future of cycling could be sharing, not owning one,” wrote The Bike Europe, source of industry news, data, and analysis for the e-bike and bicycle industry’s decision-makers, at the start of this year. And the pandemic hasn't changed the situation significantly.
According to a recent eight nation survey Oliver Wyman conducted with approximately 6,000 respondents, 44% of riders said they would be willing to increase their dependence on the service (shared vehicles and ride-hailing) in the future. 34% said they planned to use it as much as before the pandemic.
Accordingly, there is a pretty big interest in starting a business based on a bike-sharing service. Every business should start with a detailed business plan. Here, we are going to explain how to create a business plan that it would be appropriate to implement in your business.
Mind the differences
If you are a newcomer or even if you have ride-sharing business experience, the first thing to remember before preparing a business plan - every vehicle sharing model is specific and has its own differences to keep in mind.
In regard to bikes, it is important to remember that users are usually willing to take the bike from one docking station and return it to another. Sometimes, it is located on the other side of the city. So the service provider should calculate capacity, as well as vehicle availability in the most popular parts of the city during rush hours. That might be crucial.
Know your customer
Before taking further steps and making any decision you must know your audience. So it is the right time to do market research. The first thing to do is to define the characteristics of your customer by identifying:
- Age - what is the age range of your customer more likely to use your services? What group of customer generations do they belong to? For example, people born in the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2000s are referred to as Generation Z. There are some characteristics that identify their behavioral patterns, so you already know what they might and might not like.
- Gender - do you plan to communicate with men, women, or both sexes? There are differences.
- Marital status and family - it might influence how the person is moving through the city. For example, if she or he must take into account the plans of their partner while scheduling their everyday activities.
- Location - what are the most likely points which your potential customer is moving between in the city?
- Income - how likely they are willing to use bike-sharing? And how much they would be willing to pay for the service?
- Language - what language are you going to use to communicate with your audience? And what languages you should make available on your app.
Usually, several groups can be identified according to these characteristics. The next step is to find people that are representing each group, talk to them and test your hypothesis and assumptions towards them.
You can also calculate quite precisely the size of your target market. You can find it out by calculating the TAM, SAM, and SOM. TAM is the total available market for the service, for example, the total amount of users. SAM is a serviceable available market in the area you have chosen to operate. SOM is a serviceable obtainable market - a portion of the available market that you are willing to serve.
Choose what suits you best
After you have defined your target market and potential audience, you may start to consider what works best for your customer. There are three options to choose your bike-sharing business from and to put into your bike-sharing business plan:
- dockless bike-sharing - bicycles are freely available to potential users and they are not located at docking stations. Vehicles can be unlocked using a mobile app and afterward returned to a particular bike rack or even left along the sidewalk. This model is more suitable for tourists and other short-term use cases. Usually, dockless sharing services offer single rides for a small fee, for example, $1 or monthly fees for continuous use. The biggest risk of this model is high operational costs, as well as a bigger risk for vandalism or damage to the bikes;
- station-based bike-sharing - bikes are into docking stations and users can unlock them to have a ride. In addition, users must return the bike to the same or another docking station. Providers of this model usually offer payment of a flat membership fee plus the fee for the amount of time spent on the road. This is a good choice for the business due to low operational costs for maintenance or relocation. However, dockless bikes are becoming more accessible so there is a risk that a potential user will choose the service with no strings attached rather than one where he has to follow certain rules in terms of the place to leave his bike;
- corporate bike sharing - in this case, the service provider takes care of the maintenance and relocation of bikes, if needed, but bikes are owned by the corporation. Most likely, the owner will make bikes available to its employees or use them as a magnet for their business, for example, if the company additionally owns a hotel or entertainment park. This model is the best for any operator. The only and quite significant risk is that the corporate partner can decide to leave this business at any time.
To sum it all up, the dockless bike-sharing model is more convenient for users but involves higher risks for service providers. Station-based bike-sharing is less risky for the service provider, but not as convenient for the end-user. So while making the bike-sharing business plan, the choice should be made depending on the other market players and the risks you are willing to take. And if you have a corporate partner, who is willing to buy bikes and you have to operate the fleet - do it, but remember that you can be left alone at some point.
Calculate all costs
The most important part of the business plan is to find a balance between revenue and costs. If you haven't had a ride-sharing business previously, you would be wise to understand and consider all costs that you will have to cover with your revenue stream. Here are the most important positions you have to think of:
- vehicle purchase costs - it is recommended that you start with a small fleet and test your business model. However, you will need a first investment to purchase your fleet. And keep in mind that after some time vehicles should be changed, so consider including depreciation costs in your bike-sharing business plan;
- IT costs - vehicles are just part of the business. The other part is software and apps that allow people to rent a vehicle and you run your bike-sharing business. You can develop the software from scratch. However, there are already appropriate ready-made solutions in the market that have all the functions you might need. For example, ATOM has been operating on the global market since 2018 and has all the expertise you might need;
- marketing costs - what is the budget you are ready to invest so that people are informed about your service? Consider all options, for example, social media, local media, your own media (web site, newsletter). Think of the bonuses that you can offer to the client, for example, free rides. However, keep in mind that every bonus reduces your profit margin. Average statistics for fast-growing companies indicate that they invest 10-20% of turnover on marketing;
- maintenance costs - proper service should be provided to expand the vehicle’s lifecycle as well as to provide clients with the perfect service. So you will need a team of people that can check vehicles every day all over the city;
- costs for the customer support - your customers will look for options on how to contact you if they have questions while starting to use or using the service. You have to have somebody or even a small team ready to answer them.
- other costs - you have to hire an accountant. You may require legal support. You will have to cover fees to be able to use the payment system.
You should consider making a total investment of EUR 15,000-30,000 to launch a small test bike-sharing fleet (30-50 bikes). For a proper full-scale and successful launch with several hundreds of bikes, you will need a total investment of EUR 70,000-100,000.
What is your bike-sharing business model?
Your business model is the way you will get revenues from your service. A lot of different business models exist in the bike-sharing market. When you think of yours, take a look at what your competitors are doing and think of ways how you can be more attractive to customers. In addition, you have to consider location and take seasonality into account. And one more thing - act fast! This can be crucial for your future success. ATOM allows you to launch your bike-sharing business within a few weeks with a bike sharing software. Learn more about ATOM's solution for shared mobility.
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
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Top 10 ATOM Mobility features released in 2025 - and how they help companies build more profitable operations
🚀📱2025 was all about automating more and reducing friction across mobility. ATOM Mobility introduced OpenAPI, new sign-in flows, a rental web-booker, smarter fleet automation, and a wide range of new hardware and payment integrations. A faster, more flexible, more scalable mobility platform - built for operators who want to grow.
December 10, 2025
min. read
2025 has been a defining year for shared mobility, digital rentals, and ride-hailing. Competition is stronger, operational costs are rising, and users expect instant, reliable digital experiences. Operators who succeed are the ones who automate more, reduce friction, and stay flexible with hardware, payments, and integrations.
This year, ATOM Mobility shipped a series of features designed to help operators achieve exactly that:
grow revenue, reduce costs, improve fleet quality, and scale into new markets with less complexity.
Here are the 10 most impactful (out of more than 70) features ATOM Mobility released in 2025, and why they matter.
1. OpenAPI (supported by all 3 modules - vehicle sharing, digital rental and ride-hail)
The launch of ATOM’s OpenAPI marks a major step forward for operators seeking greater flexibility, automation, and integration possibilities.
What it is
A fully documented API layer allowing operators and partners to build custom flows, integrations, booking systems, analytics dashboards, or MaaS connections on top of ATOM Mobility.
Who it helps
All verticals: micromobility, car-sharing, moped sharing, rentals, ride-hail, and enterprise partners.
How it works
OpenAPI enables third-party developers to build on top of the ATOM Mobility infrastructure, allowing seamless integrations with external apps, internal tools, and automated workflows. With OpenAPI, operators can extend their service in almost any direction: a partner app (like FreeNow or Uber) can show your vehicles, unlock them, and process payments on your behalf; or internal systems can trigger automated actions - such as sending a survey email after every completed ride. The possibilities are nearly unlimited, giving operators full flexibility to innovate and scale however they choose.
Why it matters
- Enables deeper integrations with partners and local platforms
- Supports custom business logic and automations
- Makes it easier to enter new markets with local-specific requirements
- Opens the door to MaaS distribution and enterprise collaborations
2. Sign-In with Apple & Google - A smoother first-time user experience (all modules)
Across mobility, the registration flow is often the first point of friction. ATOM Mobility introduced modern authentication options to simplify onboarding.
What it is
One-tap sign-in using Apple ID or Google Account instead of relying solely on SMS verification.
Who it helps
All operators - especially those targeting tourists, or markets with unreliable SMS delivery.
How it works
When creating a new account or logging in, users can choose to log in/register using Apple ID or Google Account - this will allow account creation in just 2 taps.
Why it matters
- Faster user onboarding experience -> happier rider -> more frequent rides
- Fewer SMS-related issues (and lower SMS related costs) and failed verifications
- Reduced support load from login problems
3. Multipurpose side menu button (all modules)
What it is
A customizable slot in the app menu where operators can add up to five external links - websites, ecommerce pages, tour pages, extra FAQ pages, social media, partner offers, etc.
How it works
- Enable in Settings → System preferences → External links
- Add titles + URLs
- Links automaticaly appear in the app under “More”
Value for operators
- A space where you can display any information you consider important for the user
- Supports cross-promotion and partnership campaigns
- Allows communication updates without app releases
- Creates additional monetisation opportunities, such as launching your own e-commerce or merchandise shop
4. Pre-ride questionnaire (all modules)
What it is
A form that users must complete before starting a ride - ideal for compliance, reporting, invoicing, or gathering important data.
Who it helps
Operators needing regulatory data, reporting, consent collection, or structured user feedback.
How it works
Create a question (or several) in “Customer form” -> Group questions into a pre-ride form -> Assign a form to specific vehicle models/classes.
Once completed, the customer must answer predefined questions before starting the ride. Their responses appear in both customer and ride exports. For example, you can ask for a personal ID code, legal address, or any other required information.
Value for operators
- Helps meet regulatory or municipal requirements
- Ensures correct invoicing details
- Provides a structured way to capture essential user data
5. Driver revenue auto-distribution (Stripe & Adyen, ride-hail)
What it is
Automatic payout splitting: driver earnings go to the driver’s payout account, and platform commission goes to the operator - all processed automatically after each ride.
Who it helps
Ride-hail operators using Stripe or Adyen.
How it works
- Operator has a Stripe/Adyen merchant account
- Drivers onboard as payout recipients
- After completed rides, payouts split automatically
- Supports mixed payment methods (cash and non-cash)
Value for operators
- Reduces manual payout work
- Minimises accounting errors
- Improves driver experience through transparency and instant pay out
- Makes scaling easier when the driver base grow
6. Set a manual vehicle location (vehicle sharing & digital rental)
What it is
A tool to override or manually set a vehicle’s GPS position when IoT data is unavailable (no IoT placed on the vehicle at all) or inaccurate.
Who it helps
Operators with underground parking, poor GPS coverage, or long-term rentals without IoT can use this setup. A typical scenario is long-term bike rental without IoT: the user completes ID verification, payment, and booking in the app, then sees the vehicle assigned to a predefined location (station) where it is picked up and later returned. This serves as a workaround for vehicles that do not support IoT or where adding IoT device is too costly.
How it works
Edit vehicle → update “Location” field. The system assumes this as the correct coordinate. Works for individual vehicles or via mass import.
Value for operators
- Avoids user frustration when vehicles appear in the wrong location
- Supports business modesl with fleets operating without IoT devices
7. Offer your price - rider-controlled pricing (ride-hailing)
What it is
A flexible pricing feature that lets passengers propose their own fare - higher or lower than the system-calculated price, within limits set by the operator. Drivers see the offer instantly and can choose to accept or reject it.
Who it helps
Ride-hailing operators in competitive, price-sensitive, or highly dynamic markets where price shifts demand quickly.
How it works
When requesting a ride, the user selects “Offer your price”. A slider or +/– buttons allow them to adjust the fare within operator-defined boundaries. If the user lowers the price, the app explains that the offer may reduce the chance of driver acceptance.
Drivers see a clear banner showing whether the rider is offering more or less than the standard fare. Drivers can accept or decline based on their preference.
Operators can enable or disable the feature per vehicle class.
Why it matters
- Creates a clear differentiator in markets dominated by fixed-fare competitors
- Helps convert riders who compare multiple apps before booking
- Gives drivers more control over their earnings and decisions, improving transparency and satisfaction
- Supports better ride matching during off-peak hours or less profitable routes
- Allows operators to experiment with more flexible pricing strategies without changing their core fare model
8. Web-booker for digital rental - frictionless bookings directly from your website (digital rental)
What it is
A lightweight, embeddable booking widget that lets customers reserve a rental vehicle directly from your website - without installing the mobile app first. It’s designed to capture spontaneous bookings, convert website visitors, and unify online and in-app rental experiences.
Who it helps
Car, moped, and bike rental operators, as well as hospitality and tourism partners such as hotels, resorts, coworking spaces, real-estate developers, and travel service providers.
How it works
Every operator receives a branded rental URL: merchantname.atommobility.com/rent
Users select their area, vehicle type, and rental period directly in the widget. Once confirmed and the account created, the booking syncs automatically into the ATOM Mobility dashboard. Customers see a confirmation screen with a QR code to open the booking in the mobile app. Payment, ID verification, and vehicle unlock actions are completed in the ATOM Mobility-powered app before the trip begins.
The widget automatically adapts to the operator’s brand color for a visually seamless integration. In the dashboard, each booking displays its source: App, Web, or Booker - helping operators track where rentals originate.
Why it matters
- Converts first-time users browsing your website into paying customers - without forcing an app install
- Enables plug-and-play rental flows for partners such as hotels, rental desks, cafés, coworking spaces, or tourist spots
- Supports QR-based rental journeys from physical locations
- Reduces friction for users who want a fast, simple booking experience
- Helps operators expand distribution with minimal effort, unlocking new sales channels
- Unifies online and mobile rental flows under a single backend and operational system
Demo: https://app.atommobility.com/rental-widget
9. Vehicle status change automation (vehicle sharing & digital rental)
What it is
Bad user experiences often happen when several riders encounter the same faulty vehicle. ATOM Mobility now prevents this automatically. Automation rules detect problematic vehicles and instantly set them to “Needs investigation,” hiding them from the user app so the operator can inspect the vehicle before the next rider can take it.
Who it helps
Sharing and rental operators managing medium or large fleets.
How it works
System monitors low ratings, repeated short rides, and user reports. When triggered, it:
- creates a maintenance task
- switches vehicle status
- hides the vehicle from users
Why it matters
- Prevents recurring complaints from the same issue
- Reduces refunds and reputational damage
- Helps maintain a healthier, more reliable fleet
- Automates routine operational checks
10. New integrations (10) - a broader ecosystem for hardware, payments & compliance (all modules)
What was added
2025 brought a wave of new integrations that give operators more flexibility in choosing hardware, payments, charging, and regulatory tools. What was added:
- Ridemovi IoT
- Wave payment gateway
- Linka smart lock support
- 2Hire IoT
- Kuhmute charging stations
- Eskiz.uz OTP service
- Atmos payment gateway
- Chiron API (regulatory)
- Fitrider charging station
- Azericard payment gateway
Why it matters
- Easier entry into markets with local payment or OTP requirements
- More hardware options for scooters, bikes, e-bikes, and cars
- Better compatibility with charging infrastructure
- Reduced integration time when expanding
- Support for regulatory compliance where required
These ten features represent only a small selection of what we delivered this year. In total, our team shipped more than 70 new features, dozens of integrations, and countless small improvements that quietly make the platform faster, more stable, and more enjoyable for operators and end-users every single day. Behind each release is a team focused on one idea: helping entrepreneurs build stronger, more efficient, and more profitable mobility businesses.
And we’re just getting started.
Our 2026 tech pipeline is already packed with ambitious and exciting solutions - from deeper AI-powered automation to smarter fleet intelligence and new tools that will change how operators run mobility services. We're looking forward to pushing the industry even further together.
Blog
From phone tap to smooth ride: the tech stack behind modern shared mobility
🛴📡 That smooth ride you just took? It was powered by a whole ecosystem of hardware and software you never saw. From IoT modules in the vehicle to real-time dashboards and rider apps, shared mobility relies on a solid tech stack to stay online, secure, and profitable.
December 2, 2025
min. read
You open an app, spot a scooter on the map, and within seconds it unlocks with a click. You ride off, expecting the battery to be charged, the brakes to work, and the whole process to feel effortless. From the very first ride, shared mobility set the standard: vehicles should always be nearby, ready to go, and the whole experience should feel seamless. What most riders never think about, though, is the complex mix of hardware and software working in the background to make every smooth ride possible.
Why the tech matters
Technology is the baseline for the shared mobility business model. Every ride depends on it. Vehicles need IoT hardware to lock, unlock, and report their status. Connectivity has to be stable so operators always know where assets are and what condition they’re in.
On the software side, riders expect apps that feel instant and intuitive, while operators rely on dashboards for fleet health, pricing, and support. Add in the realities of theft, battery swaps, downtime, and local regulations, and the stakes become clear. Without a reliable tech stack, even small failures – a scooter that won’t unlock or a payment that stalls – can quickly break user trust and hurt the business.
Where it began
Over the years, several manufacturers have entered the shared mobility IoT space, offering different hardware configurations, network technologies, and integrations. Companies like Teltonika (Lithuania), Comodule (Estonia), Invers (Germany), OMNI (China) and others produce modules compatible with various vehicle types and connectivity standards. Each provider focuses on specific strengths – some prioritize energy efficiency or compact design, others emphasize global coverage or advanced diagnostics. Choosing between them depends on the type of vehicles, operational scale, and software ecosystem an operator plans to use.
Our partner, Comodule was already developing IoT for micromobility when the Corona pandemic hit. Overnight, cities shifted and everyone needed their own safe, private way to move around. Shared scooters and bikes suddenly went from being a niche service to an essential part of urban transport, and the demand for IoT skyrocketed. For IoT manufacturers, it meant long days in development and manufacturing, pushing hard to deliver reliable devices at scale for brands like Uber, Lime, and Hive.
That sharp rise in demand forced them to grow quickly and gave valuable experience in building technology that could perform under real pressure. Fleets that trusted Comodule devices had a backbone they could rely on: vehicles that could be located, unlocked, secured, and managed internationally. Just as important, the IoT had to integrate seamlessly with software systems (like ATOM Mobility). That’s why building robust API and SDK tools became critical – enabling operators to connect hardware to their platforms, control fleets in real time, and access the information needed to keep moving.
IoT as the brain of the vehicle
Inside every connected scooter or bike sits a IoT module, the “brain” that links the vehicle to the cloud. It connects through cellular networks, constantly sending data about location, speed, and battery status. When a rider taps “unlock” in the app, that command travels through the cloud to the module, which triggers the electronic lock and wakes up the vehicle. The same connection allows operators to set geofenced no-parking zones, push over-the-air updates, or activate a sound alarm if the scooter is being tampered with. Battery sensors inside the module report charging cycles and health, so operators know exactly when a pack needs to be swapped or replaced.
All of this data is streamed in real time to the fleet management system, giving providers the ability to monitor hundreds or even thousands of vehicles simultaneously. For operators, these capabilities mean higher uptime, faster theft recovery, and precise control over the entire fleet – the difference between running a struggling operation and a profitable one.
Rising expectations in the market
As shared mobility matured, the bar kept getting higher. New scooter generations came with swappable batteries, sturdier frames, and better onboard electronics. Riders got used to apps that respond instantly, process payments in seconds, and show vehicle availability with pinpoint accuracy.
At the same time, competition rose, not only from global players but also from smaller, local operators launching fleets in their own cities. For these companies, reliable hardware was no longer enough. They needed the software layer that connects everything: smooth rider apps, powerful operator dashboards, and analytics to make smarter decisions. Yet many lacked the time and resources to build software on their own.
Software as the missing piece
As fleets grew and competition intensified, operators realized they did not have time or funds to develop their own software layer. They needed a market-ready platform that ties everything together – apps that riders enjoy using and dashboards that give operators full control of their business. That’s where solutions like ATOM Mobility come in.
Platform connects directly with Comodule IoT through APIs and SDKs, so every unlock command, error code, or battery update flows instantly between the rider’s app and the operator’s dashboard. Almost any company can launch a fleet with this stack – from large-scale operators to small, local newcomers.
The power of integration
When hardware and software work seamlessly, the rider experience feels effortless. A simple tap in the app sends a command through the cloud to IoT, which unlocks the vehicle and streams live data back in milliseconds. The operator instantly sees the vehicle’s status in the dashboard: battery level, GPS position, and any error codes.
If the scooter leaves a geofenced area, the system reacts automatically. If maintenance is needed, the alert is flagged before it becomes a breakdown. By combining the hardware with software, fleet providers get one complete ecosystem – a stack built to keep vehicles online and users satisfied.
From seamless rides to smarter cities
From a rider’s perspective, shared mobility should always “just work.” That won’t change. But the technology stack behind it is becoming more sophisticated every year. Stricter regulations demand safer and more transparent services, while cities are pushing for integration into broader Mobility-as-a-Service platforms. IoT and software together provide the data and control that operators need, not only to stay compliant but also to improve fleet efficiency and sustainability and to provide insights for city planning.
For users, that sophistication will translate into something simple: services that are more reliable, safer for everyone on the road, and smarter – with data from real-world usage helping to shape better vehicles, better infrastructure, and better cities in the future.
*This article was created together with our partner Comodule.
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