Bike-sharing advantages and disadvantages – what to bear in mind?
April 19, 2024
min. read
The shared mobility industry has seen immense growth within the past few years, and shared micromobility vehicles, such as shared bikes, are no exception. Various reports on the shared mobility market have emphasized that revenue from bike-sharing is projected to continue rising, with the sector expected to reach US$12.68 billion by 2027.
Data and statistics speak for themselves – the bike-sharing market's future is bright and shiny. But are there any disadvantages to bike-sharing? And what are the biggest benefits of this micromobility type? Read this article to find out.
What is bike-sharing?
Before we discuss the pros and cons of bike-sharing, let's define what this term actually means.
Also known as bike rental or public bicycle sharing, bike-sharing is a system where individuals can use bikes on a short-term basis. Bikes that are available for sharing are commonly placed in designated areas or docking stations, mainly in urban environments. Bike-sharers rent and return the micromobility vehicles for a certain fee, depending on the bike-sharing service provider.
An equally important part of the bike-sharing system are the various mobile applications and payment systems that enable users to grab a shared bike when needed and conveniently pay for the service.
As you can likely guess, bike-sharing is primarily an urban phenomenon. It has become one of the key components of sustainable transportation strategies in cities around the world. Plus, it's convenient, cool, and… well, continue reading for more pros.
Advantages of bike-sharing
Besides making urban areas look hip, bike-sharing systems have a bunch of advantages that range from user convenience to sustainability and beyond.
1. It benefits the environment
Those who care about sustainability have all the reasons to love bike-sharing. It provides an alternative mode of transportation that is also environmentally friendly. Access to bike-sharing helps make greener choices (read – drive cars less often), which helps reduce air pollution and carbon emissions. Moreover, riding a bike for a short trip around the city is an amazing way to reduce your personal carbon footprint.
2. It helps reduce traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a common issue in many cities and urban areas. Bike-sharing systems can significantly help deal with this problem, as they provide a convenient way to complete short trips around the city. Biking instead of driving a car, taking public transport, or paying for a taxi during rush hours also shortens the time spent on the road and improves the traffic flow overall.
3. It promotes public health
Cycling is not only a convenient way to get around but also benefits one's health. Just think about it – you're commuting while getting some exercise at the same time. How cool is that? Well-built bike-sharing systems such as Tretty can encourage people to bike more often, contributing to overall public health as a result.
4. It's cost-effective
And cost-effective not only for bike-sharers but also for micromobility service providers. The growing demand for shared micromobility vehicles, bikes included, clearly shows that it's a profitable niche. Plus, today, there are plenty of ways to start your bike-sharing business quickly and easily. For example, with ATOM Mobility, you can launch a bike-sharing platform in 20 days. We offer a fully customizable white-label solution for all kinds of sharing businesses. You'll love it, and your bike-sharers will, too.
5. It's a scalable micromobility business model
Another advantage of bike-sharing from the perspective of micromobility businesses or businesses-to-be – it's scalable and has relatively low operational costs. Bikes require less maintenance than, for example, e-scooters and have no fuel expenses, contrary to car-sharing. Moreover, bike-sharing businesses can be easily expanded to new locations – cities or even countries, and it's relatively easy to grow the bike fleet in response to user demand.
Bike-sharing disadvantages
As with all seemingly perfect things, there are always at least a few downsides to them, and bike-sharing is no exception. What are its disadvantages? Scroll down.
1. It poses some safety concerns
Despite being a relatively safe way of getting around a city, bikes raise some safety concerns, mainly when interacting with motorized vehicles. Not all roads have bike lanes, and not all drivers are used to sharing the road with cyclists, which can lead to heightened accident risk. Moreover, those new to bike riding may be particularly vulnerable to accidents and injuries.
Increasing safety for cyclists requires the involvement of public authorities. However, if you're a micromobility service provider, you can customize your app and add information on safety concerns and things to remember when cycling around the block.
2. It can be subject to theft and vandalism
It's no secret that bikes are a catch loved by thieves and vandals. Even the best safety locks and docking systems can sometimes get hacked, resulting in financial losses for operators and inconvenience for bike-sharers. What can be done is adding GPS tracking to shared bikes, picking extra resistant locks, and placing surveillance cameras around bike docks to prevent theft and purposeful damage.
3. It's not for all weathers
Of course, there are cyclists who ride their bikes in rain or thunder, but the usual bike-sharing client may not be up for cycling in a snowstorm, rainfall, or extreme heat. Hence, bad weather can decrease bike-sharing, and if it sticks for long, bike fleet owners may feel it financially.
Whether you're a municipality thinking of implementing a bike-sharing system or a micromobility business owner looking towards bikes, consider the weather of your location. As simple as that.
4. It requires diligent maintenance
Yes, we mentioned low maintenance costs among the benefits of bike-sharing. However, bike fleet maintenance requires quite a lot of work. A bike is not a complex ride, but if the fleet is used constantly, the rides wear out fast. Regular check-ups – cleaning, inspections, repairs, and parts replacement – are essential to prevent mechanical failures and ensure a positive user experience. Doing so requires both human and financial resources.
Build your bike-sharing empire with ATOM Mobility
Now that you're familiar with the main bike-sharing advantages and disadvantages, you can take the next step and look for ways to start your micromobility service or improve your already existing one by adding bikes to the game.
But solid rides are not the only crucial thing – bike-sharers love convenient bike-sharing apps, too. And that's where ATOM Mobility comes in. Our software is suited for any type of vehicle-sharing and has 200+ features to bring you to the top of the bike-sharing game. What are you still waiting for?
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
Click below to learn more or request a demo.
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Micro-mobility market consolidation heats up: ATOM Mobility acquires ScootAPI
In a significant move signaling further consolidation within the micro-mobility software sector, industry leader ATOM Mobility announced its strategic acquisition of ScootAPI. The deal, finalized on June 1, 2025, strengthens ATOM Mobility's dominant position in the B2B SaaS Micro-Mobility market.
June 16, 2025
min. read
In a significant move signaling further consolidation within the micro-mobility software sector, industry leader ATOM Mobility announced its strategic acquisition of ScootAPI.
The deal, finalized on June 1, 2025, strengthens ATOM Mobility's dominant position in the B2B SaaS Micro-Mobility market. This deal also marks a successful and timely exit for ScootAPI founder, George Kachanouski, who is already channeling his entrepreneurial energy into a new AI Venture in stealth mode for now.
For years, both ATOM Mobility and ScootAPI have been key players, providing essential software solutions for micro-mobility operators worldwide. This acquisition sees ATOM Mobility, led by CEO Arturs Burnins, proactively solidifying its market leadership. The move was driven by a strategic imperative to win the top spot in a competitive landscape by integrating ScootAPI’s valuable assets and client base.
About ATOM Mobility:
Founded in 2018 by Arturs Nikiforovs and CEO Arturs Burnins, ATOM Mobility empowers entrepreneurs to launch and scale mobility platforms worldwide, including vehicle sharing (scooters, bikes, mopeds, cars), digital rental, and ride-hailing businesses. With a suite of products including customizable rider apps, comprehensive dashboards, operator apps, and robust analytics, ATOM Mobility supports over 200 projects and 35,000 vehicles, facilitating over 1,000,000 rides monthly. The company is committed to providing reliable, agile, and well-designed technology with a strong focus on customer revenue growth and system stability, aiming to be the leader in B2B SaaS for micro-mobility.
About ScootAPI:
Founded in 2019 by CEO George Kachanouski, ScootAPI established itself as a significant player in the micro-mobility software space. The company delivered a robust white-label SaaS platform that empowered entrepreneurs and operators worldwide, successfully launching more than 50 distinct micro-mobility projects across diverse international markets. ScootAPI was dedicated to fostering 'smart' city transportation, thereby contributing to reduced CO2 emissions and an improved quality of urban life for communities worldwide.
"This is an acceleration moment for ATOM Mobility and the micro-mobility SaaS market as a whole," said Arturs Burnins, CEO of ATOM Mobility. "Acquiring ScootAPI aligns with our strategy to lead the industry and provide the most comprehensive, reliable, and innovative solutions to operators globally. We're excited to welcome ScootAPI’s clients into the ATOM Mobility platform, further accelerating the growth and efficiency of shared mobility worldwide."
For George, this move wasn't initially on his roadmap. He was invested in ScootAPI's growth. However, the recent explosion in AI technology sparked a new, compelling passion. “Selling ScootAPI wasn't something I was planning to do," George admitted. "We had built a good product, and the journey was far from over in my mind. But then the AI revolution really took off, and I found myself completely captivated by the potential of agentic workflows to automate business processes. The idea of building a new company in the AI space, something potentially even bigger and on a brand new frontier, became incredibly exciting."
As the transition moves ahead, George remains confident that ScootAPI's clients are in good hands. “ATOM Mobility has a clear vision and the technical depth to support operators long-term,” he said. “That was important to me. I didn’t want to hand things over to just anyone – I wanted to be sure the people relying on our platform would still be supported and able to grow.”
The integration of ScootAPI into ATOM Mobility promises a smooth transition for clients, who will now benefit from an expanded suite of features and robust support under the ATOM Mobility umbrella, further streamlining operations for micro-mobility entrepreneurs globally.
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Top mobility conferences to attend this year: Must-see events for 2025
🌍 🚗 Want to stay on top of the latest trends in mobility? Check out the must-attend conferences in 2025! From urban transportation to micromobility, these events offer great networking opportunities and valuable insights into the future of mobility. 👉 ATOM Mobility will be at several events, so make sure to stop by our booth and chat with us!
June 5, 2025
min. read
The mobility industry is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead means connecting with the right people, discovering new technologies, and learning from experts. Conferences are a great way to do just that. Whether you’re a policy maker, an entrepreneur, or a fleet manager, the year ahead is packed with events where you can grow your network and gain valuable insights. Here’s a list of some of the top mobility conferences happening this year that are worth attending!
1. Velo-city 2025
The Velo-city conference is a must for anyone involved in urban transportation. With a focus on cycling and sustainable mobility, Velo-city brings together policy makers, city planners, and transportation experts to discuss how cities can become more bike-friendly and sustainable.
This year, ATOM Mobility will have a booth at the event, so if you’re attending, don’t forget to stop by and chat with our team. It’s a great opportunity to explore how new tech can make urban transportation smarter and more efficient.
Where: Gdansk, Poland
When: 10-13 June
Check it out: https://www.velo-city-conference.com
2. Micromobility Europe 2025
If you’re interested in micromobility – whether it’s e-scooters, bikes, or mopeds – Micromobility Europe is the place to be. This conference is the hub for mobility entrepreneurs, vehicle manufacturers, and operators of sharing services. You’ll hear from innovators in the space, explore the latest products, and attend workshops on everything from regulation to scaling your fleet.
At Micromobility Europe, ATOM Mobility will not only have a booth but our CEO will also be on a panel discussion on day two of the event (“Fleet Tech 2.0: The Tools Powering the Next Generation of Operators”). You can check out the full agenda here. We’d love to meet you, so make sure to stop by and say hi.
Where: Brussels, Belgium
When: 17-18 June
Check it out: https://micromobility.io
3. Gurtam Fleet Management Conference 2025
For fleet managers, car-sharing operators, and telematics professionals, the Gurtam Fleet Management Conference is a key event to attend. This conference focuses on optimizing fleet operations, the latest in vehicle tracking, and telematics technologies. ATOM Mobility will be among the visitors, and we’ll also be presenting on stage, where we’ll discuss some of the latest trends in fleet management and the use of AI ("AI-powered mobility: Vision, Precision, Prediction. A Look into How AI Transforms Fleet Parking Compliance, Vehicle Damage Detection, and Demand Forecasting.").
If you’re in the fleet management space, this is a great event to gather insights and share ideas with like-minded professionals.
Where: Vilnius, Lithuania
When: 10-11 September
Check it out: https://conference.gurtam.com
4. IAA Mobility 2025
One of the biggest mobility events in Europe, IAA Mobility gathers everyone from policymakers to automakers to discuss the future of transportation. With a wide range of topics including light electric vehicles (LEVs), micromobility, public transport, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS), this is a great conference for anyone interested in the broader scope of mobility.
Whether you’re looking to explore the latest in automotive technology or learn about policy changes affecting the mobility industry, IAA Mobility is a must-attend event.
Where: Munich, Germany
When: 9-12 September
Check it out: https://www.iaa-mobility.com/en
5. Mobility Live Saudi 2025
If you’re looking to tap into the growing mobility market in Saudi Arabia and MENA, Mobility Live Saudi is one of the largest events focused on urban transportation in the region. The conference brings together policy makers, car rental entrepreneurs, and mobility infrastructure developers to discuss the latest trends and innovations in connected vehicles, MaaS, and micromobility.
It’s an exciting event to explore the unique challenges and opportunities in the Saudi Arabian market, especially in terms of infrastructure and emerging mobility solutions.
Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
When: 9-21 October
Check it out: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/mobility-live-saudi
Why attend these conferences?
Each of these events offers a unique opportunity to connect with people in the mobility ecosystem. Whether you're looking to learn about new technologies, hear from industry experts, or network with potential partners, attending these conferences can help you stay ahead of the curve.
Plus, many of these events offer in-person interaction, which can be crucial for building strong relationships and fostering meaningful collaborations. From policy changes to new tech, these conferences are where you’ll find the insights that can shape the future of mobility.
Visit us at ATOM Mobility’s booths
If you plan on attending any of these conferences, make sure to stop by ATOM Mobility’s booth. We’ll be happy to talk about how we’re making micromobility, corporate car-sharing and mobility more efficient, sustainable, and accessible. Our team is excited to connect with fellow professionals, share insights, and discuss how we can all contribute to the future of mobility.
See you there!
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
