Berlin's Airbnb for bikes is coming to Switzerland

A new rental bike concept is coming to Switzerland. Berlin-based Listnride offers Airbnb-style private bikes for rent. "The advantage with us is that you can book the bikes for longer test rides and try them out. Unlike a dealer, where you can't test a bike as extensively, with Listnride you don't have to make a purchase decision after just one hour," says company founder Johannes Stuhler to the Handelszeitung. Private bicycles can already be booked for rent via the platform in Zurich and Winterthur.

Rental bikes alone will not be enough. The booking platform is also to be gradually expanded into a marketplace for bikes for sale. "We want to work together with both commercial bike providers and various bike brands," Stuhler says, describing the plans. The online presence at Listnride is also intended to increase their brand presence in the Swiss market. Various test bikes from individual manufacturers are to be placed at selected locations in this country, as well as in the rest of Europe, such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna. The supplier places his products with advertising effect, the customer can rent, test ride or buy the bike of his choice on the platform. Such a cooperation already exists with the Estonian e-bike supplier Ampler. Ampler relies on direct sales, while Listnride acts as a marketing vehicle. The bikes are given to selected partners and distributed through several bike stores. Dealers are compensated for storing the bikes. If a customer wants to buy a particular bike after a rental or extensive test ride, Listnride mediates between the supplier and the consumer.