The bike-sharing industry in 2021 and beyond
August 26, 2021
min. read
The bike-sharing industry is on the rise. It is the only mobility industry that statistics indicate didn't experience significant losses during the pandemic. The future is also bright as there are government initiatives around the world to support bike-sharing. However, there are things that newcomers in the business can learn from the previous leaders - success in the industry with high demand is no guarantee that the company will be a success.
A bike is a comfortable means of transportation in regions where motorized vehicles are widely used but create heavy traffic jams and pollute the air. This is a problem in regions like Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe. And this is where and why bike-sharing has become popular. According to the Statista Mobility Outlook, bike-sharing was the only mobility sector that grew its global revenues during the pandemic by a third in 2020. The single-person set-up and open-air nature of bike riding made it the perfect mode of transportation for the pandemic.
Bike-sharing is a shared transport service in which convectional bikes or electric bikes are made available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis for a price or free. Development of software, GPS technologies, mobile payments, and IoT devices, as well as reduced locking and tracking system costs for bikes, have recently led to the popularity of a dockless bike-sharing system that allows users to leave the bike anywhere convenient.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the bike-sharing market was valued at USD 3 billion in 2020, and it is anticipated that it will reach USD 4 billion by 2026. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the bike-sharing sector in several countries. The most negative consequences were the daily decline in bike bookings.
Bike demand is majorly driven by developing countries, such as China and India that especially focus on e-bikes. China has always been the largest exporter of e-bikes. According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the country's output of electric bicycles reached 25.48 million during the first 10 months of 2020, a year-on-year increase of 33.4%. During this period, the revenue of major bicycle manufacturing companies reached about USD 22 billion, an increase of 16.8%. According to the China Bicycle Association, from January to September 2020, the volume of bicycle exports was 12% up on the same period last year, rising to USD 2.43 billion.
However, the bike-sharing market growth in Europe is predicted to be the fastest across the globe, as it is anticipated that a large number of service providers will venture into the region in the coming years. In regional countries, bikes are being rapidly made available near major transit hubs, such as railway stations, thereby offering users convenience and ease of travel. In addition, the European Union (EU) also promotes such services, because they are environment-friendly and help to reduce traffic.
Global bike-sharing service market size between 2020 and 2026 in billion U.S. dollars according to Statista:
Currently, major players in the bike-sharing market are:
- Uber Technologies Inc. - provides opportunities to rent a bike in a partnership with Lime. Jump brand bikes are available after Lime acquired the Jump company.
- Lyft Inc. - in November 2018, Lyft acquired Motivate, a bicycle-sharing system and the operator of Capital Bikeshare and Citi Bike. It thus became the largest bike-share service in the United States.
- Hellobike - a transportation service platform based in Shanghai, China. Founded in 2016, the company merged with Youon Bike the following year. In a series of fundraising rounds dating back to 2016, Hellobike has raised over US$1.8 billion from investors.
- DiDi Bike - Didi Chuxing Technology Co. is a Chinese vehicle for hire company headquartered in Beijing with over 550 million users and tens of millions of drivers. The company provides app-based transportation services, including bike-sharing.
The biggest companies in the market are associated with China as are the biggest deals. Looking at the recent biggest deals in bike-sharing, the first worth mentioning involved Didi Chuxing’s bike-sharing arm Qingju. It raised USD 600 million in a Series B equity fundraising round and will be granted an additional USD 400 million in loans.
What was also interesting that at the end of 2020 the mobile application of Mobike, one of China's earliest and largest bike-sharing providers, went offline after its acquisition by Meituan three years before. Mobike was acquired by Meituan for USD 2.7 billion in April 2018. In January 2019, in an internal letter to employees Wang Huiwen, co-founder and Senior Vice-President of Meituan, informed them that Mobike will be renamed Meituan Bike and that the firm would become a unit of the new parent's location-based service department.
The growing interest in e-bikes
One trend that will definitely influence the industry in the near future is the growing interest in e-bike sharing. Pedelecs or pedal electric cycles or EPAC (Electronically Power Assisted Cycles) are becoming increasingly popular. This is a type of electric bicycle where the rider’s pedaling is assisted by a small electric motor. Such vehicles are capable of higher speeds, compared to manually operated bikes. As the demand for higher speeds for short-distance traveling increases, so does the preference for e-bikes. People are ignoring the fact that sharing services on pedal-assisted bikes are cheaper than e-bikes, as the latter offers effortless driving, more convenience, and variable motor power, as well as higher speeds.
One of the most interesting investment deals in 2020 that underlines the interest in e-bikes involved London-based free-to-use shared electric bike firm London-based HumanForest. It announced in September that it had raised £1.8 million. HumanForest offers 20 minutes free per day and a corporate subscription service. It launched in June 2020. In just four months of the company’s operations, 14,000 riders have taken almost 42,000 rides with the number of rides increasing by over 100% month on month!
Later that year, the company raised £1.27m via crowdfunding with the support of over 520 investors, of whom approximately 30% were trial users. The company says that it ran a successful trial during summer 2020 in London with 200 e-bikes. The new funds will be used to expand the fleet to 1,500 e-bikes.
HumanForest’s business model is based on three sources of revenue - users pay 15p per minute after their free daily 10-minute ride is up, while partner companies pay to advertise their brand on the HumanForest digital platform and companies pay to offer their employees further minutes for the HumanForest fleet.
Bike-sharing - more positive than negative aspects
If we analyze positive, as well as negative aspects that could influence the future of bike-sharing, the positive aspects far exceed the negative ones. The only negative aspects are high initial investment costs, as well as the rise in bike vandalism and theft. Positive aspects that could stimulate the bike-sharing business in the future are growing venture capital investments, an increase in the inclusion of e-bikes in the sharing fleet, as well as technological advances in bike-sharing systems.
There is also increased interest from governments in different initiatives for the development of bike-sharing infrastructure. Furthermore, governments are offering subsidies to service providers for developing stations and expanding their reach to a large number of commuters. For instance, in 2018, Chinese Municipal governments subsidized the Public Bike Sharing Program development to encourage non-motorized transport and offer convenient, flexible, and low-cost mobility options. Meanwhile, in Europe, the new public bike-sharing system was launched in the Italian Municipality of Trieste in February 2020. The system, known as BiTS, is being implemented as part of the city's Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Plan at a cost of EUR 390,000, with the aim of developing sustainable mobility by promoting walking and cycling to reduce urban pollution.
Despite the fact that interest in bike-sharing is rising and will continue to do so, it is equally important to learn and not forget the mistakes of pioneers of the industry. For example, the company Ofo was founded in 2014 as a university project, but soon afterward raised $866 million from investors led by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Ofo was a station-free bike-sharing platform operated via an online mobile application. In total, over the course of nine investment rounds, the company has raised USD 2.2 billion but has still consistently experienced cash flow problems that were driven largely by intense competition in a market that has yet to be proven to be commercially viable according to analysts interviewed by Forbes.
Fees dropped to 1 yuan ($0.14) for each hour of use and sometimes were even free. Despite this fact, Ofo still managed to reach a valuation of $2 billion in a 2017 funding round and around $3 billion at its highest point, and at one time the company deployed more than 10 million bikes globally and attracted as many as 200 million users. “The company’s cash-burning operations and high valuation have combined to deter potential investors, and when capital became scarce, the startup could no longer cover its once sprawling operations,” wrote Forbes.
In 2018, Ofo announced a massive reduction in operations, and by 2020 it faced a large amount of unpayable debt as a result of which the company was no longer operating bike rentals. “Explanations of what exactly went wrong are still evolving, but it seems likely that the mind-boggling amounts of cash pumped into what wasn't essentially a "bike-sharing" model, but rather a rental business pepped up by a smartphone app, had something to do with it. Yes, the company bought bikes and placed them in the streets without docks for anybody to use, and that was somewhat new. And yes, a smartphone app served as the key. But the company owned the bikes, just like any old-fashioned rental shop, and incurred huge maintenance costs,” explained analysts from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, who were quoted in its magazine “Own the future”.
So it doesn't matter how big the demand for the service is, you should always apply simple business principles to your business.
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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.
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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.
IoT, or the Internet of Things, is the technology that connects physical devices – like scooters, bikes, or cars – to the internet. Each vehicle contains a small embedded device (the IoT module) that sends and receives data through mobile networks. This connection allows operators to remotely control key functions such as locking, unlocking, location tracking, and firmware updates. In short, IoT is what makes a vehicle “smart” and manageable at scale.
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.
Selecting the right IoT hardware is a long-term decision that affects the entire fleet’s performance. Operators should evaluate network compatibility (2G/4G/5G/eSIM) and regional coverage, integration options such as open APIs and SDKs, and reliability under different weather conditions. Battery efficiency, after-sales support, firmware update policies, and compliance with standards like CE or FCC also matter. In short, IoT isn’t just a component – it’s the operational backbone of any shared mobility business.
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 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.
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