Around GMA

Article Inside Page

The country's first-ever bike and scooter sharing program is now rolling in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig.

Operated by Keepr Storage PH through the Moovr PH app, the bicycles can be rented and used for P15 for 15 minutes, then additional P2 for every two minutes after.

The electric scooters, meanwhile, are priced at P50 for every 20 minutes of rental.

Users can fund their Moovr account through GCash, and debit and credit cards.

But first, users need to download the app and register to create an account.

A QR code will be provided so that the user can unlock the bike or e-scooter.

The app will also pinpoint the locations of the bikes and e-scooters, and where to drop them off after using.

The vehicles are fitted with GPS technology for easy tracking and a loud alarm system plus an automatic stop function once the units go outside their intended vicinity.

Founder and General Manager Anna Moncupa said in December that Moovr will cover insurance up to third party liabilities in case of accidents.

Moovr plans to operate in more areas in the future.

At the moment, however, only BGC has the proper infrastructures - pedestrian-friendly, bike lanes, adequate spaces, and a nice balance of residential and commercial establishments in close proximities - that readily cater to the demands of the business model.

The business and residential district also has a biking community that has grown significantly during the quarantine period.

The bike-sharing concept is already common especially in developed countries where technology is highly used to address urban and rural problems.

Countries like Germany, The Netherlands, the US, the UK, China, South Korea, and Australia, to name a few, have resorted to bike-sharing model to ease road congestion and traffic.

The Middle East - particularly those in the progressive Gulf region like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - has also jumped in and introduced bike and e-scooter sharing in the past three years.

Some of the leading companies in the bike share business are Lime from California, Beijing's Mobike, Motivate from New York City, Brooklyn's JUMP Bikes, and Ofo also from Beijing in China, and with many local start-ups emerging utilizing the same concept.

Aside from addressing traffic, the model is also in tune with the call in providing sustainable transportation models to combat climate change and lessen air pollution.

It likewise promotes a healthy lifestyle in the community as biking is a good form of cardio workout.

Speaking of climate change, Dingdong Dantes is one of our local celebrities staunchly fighting to help save the environment. Find out how the Kapuso actor did his part in the past to protect Mother Nature.