First bicycle sharing service starts at Cox's Bazaar

Bicycle sharing service-JoBike, first of its kind in Bangladesh, started its operation in the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar from today.

JoBike began its opration on a pilot basis and will move to commercial basis based on the success of this initiative.

Entrepreneurs said initially about 20 bicycles will run from three points -- Kolatoli, Sugandha and Laboni -- of Cox’s Bazar.

To make the service popular they are offering free service for first seven days, Istiaque Ahmed, manager (operations) at Jobike Limited told The Daily Star.

JoBike is a mobile application which enables users to find bicycle for using on temporary basis. After downloading application users will have to open an account and then by scanning the QR code they can easily unlock the bicycles for use.

The bicycles are especially designed for the use of both ladies and gents.

“Our plan is to make the service popular within one month and then we will move for commercial service,” said Ahmed.

Founder and president at Jobike, Mehdi Reza said they have chosen Cox’s Bazar as it is the heart of tourism of the country and lots of local and foreigner tourists travel here every day. 

“We want to make their visit easier” Mehdi added.

JoBike also donated ten bicycles for accelerating development works at the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, our correspondent reports.

The company also plans to run another piloting in Jahangirn Nagar University with another 20 bicycle from first week of July, Istiaque Ahmed added.

As it is a very environment friendly transport system this kind of bicycle sharing service is very popular in different countries like Chain, Singapore and in different European countries.

Reza, a former product operations manager at Alibaba Group, also believes this initiative will also help flourish country’s tourist industry and at the same time it will make country’s transport system and easier by digitisation.