Pedal Power

Business idea - Contract hire for pedal bikes!

I have truly found the joy of cycling to work. I used to walk the 40 mins to work. Driving would take over 30 mins (to complete the 2 miles). Then I bought a bike and I have more time on my hands as it only takes me 10-15 mins door to door.

Cycling to work this morning, I bobbed and weaved in and out of the stationary traffic and I wondered why the people sitting in their cars didn’t drive too. Of course, there are some obvious reasons. Firstly, those that travel a long 10miles plus are probably right not to cycle to work. Then there are those that need their car for work purposes. That’s fine. But, I don’t understand those who drive the 2-3 miles into work every morning. It is wasted time. You can’t read, you can’t work, you can’t use your mobile (any more) so you are simply wasting time! Imagine that you are stuck in the car for 30mins each way. That’s one hour a day and FIVE hours a week. That isn’t far off a full working day. Imagine cutting that time in half. It would give you an extra 2.5 hours a week.

But, not one for leaving it at that I wanted to know why those who could cycle, don’t. There are a number of reasons. Health & fitness, ability, anxiety and cost.

Cost can be quite prohibitive with bikes becoming more and more expensive. There are schemes in place where companies will buy the bike for you and you pay it off on a monthly basis over 3 years.

Perhaps there is room in the market for a long term bike hire business. Just as you would contract hire a car you could contract hire a bike. It seems to make sense and with the roads clogging up you could save time, get fit and use the bike outside work too.

Just a thought!