Le bici hi tech di VAIMOO crescono all’estero e sbarcano a Lisbona

VAIMOO, the high-tech bicycle company, has launched its operations in Lisbon. The company, headquartered in Mola di Bari, designs and manages advanced bike-sharing and micromobility systems. CEO Matteo Pertosa's company also provides intelligent electric bicycles, virtual or physical bike parking stations, and an integrated digital platform for service management in cities.

VAIMOO has reported 1.6 million rides, 5.8 million kilometers cycled, and one million hours spent on bikes. The company employs 120 people. Pertosa revealed that they have already invested in a decade of activities, including engineering, vehicle construction, and other related endeavors, anticipating a budget range of 30-50 million in the future.

Pertosa emphasized that the company is working hard to create an alternative to private mobility services. In Italy, people spend around 160 billion annually on private car use, equivalent to about 11 euros per day per vehicle. For 95% of the time, these vehicles remain stationary, indicating wasted resources. Pertosa argues that a significant disparity exists between the costs incurred by institutions and the overall transportation system compared to private car usage.

VAIMOO aims to offer an alternative mobility option since Italian citizens rely on private mobility due to the lack of immediate alternatives for their transportation needs. The government should create conditions that allow the market to provide alternative services, although this is proving challenging. In Puglia, for instance, the local public transport contract, worth 250 million annually, has not been awarded since 2004.

The CEO of VAIMOO envisions constructing a piece of the mobility chain, featuring the best first and last mile solutions. Electric bicycles, cargo bikes, and minicars, which represent a growing segment, will help create a pervasive and accessible low-cost mobility service available 24/7 and within 100 meters of homes. The company is building a range of vehicles to cater to diverse mobility needs. As an example, they offer electric bicycles and cargo bikes for tasks like carrying groceries.

VAIMOO has produced approximately 15,000 electric bicycles, most of which have been sold in Europe. The Nord Europe market, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Rotterdam, has been the most successful. They recently won a contract in Lisbon to provide VAIMOO technology for bike-sharing management. The company also operates in Italy, with plans to expand in cities like Bologna and Milan, pending government tenders.

Pertosa envisions a broader range of vehicles, including cargo bikes, to accommodate heavier loads and various mobility requirements. They have also developed a new infrastructure for charging and unlocking, enabling efficient service provision in remote locations such as hotels, residential complexes, and university campuses.