The company Skootel will add electric bicycle rentals to expand alternative transportation options on the Island. The bicycle system, biciPOP, sponsored by Banco Popular, will be available for use this week. Here is a summary of the four things you should know about the project.
1. The biciPOP is designed for longer distances
These bicycles travel at 15 miles per hour and run on a rechargeable battery with a range of over 120 miles. According to Skootel, in order to promote emissions-free transportation that is accessible to locals, a biciPOP could be an alternative for short distances. For example, a trip from Santurce to Hato Rey or residential areas such as Torrimar, San Patricio and Metro Office Park.
2. The service will cost $1 per rental
Like its scooter service, biciPOP units cost $1 per rental plus a charge of 30 cents per minute.
3. You can use an app to rent one
You can download the Bird app, fill out a short form and save your preferred payment method.
The new units also include a virtual security system that locks the rear tire once the rental period ends, as well as an alarm. They also feature monitoring through a GPS system.
4. The new project is sponsored by Banco Popular
$250,000 was Skootel's initial investment to acquire 120 electric bicycles that will be added to the company's current inventory. Banco Popular will sponsor the new project, biciPOP. This collaboration is part of the bank's commitment to supporting initiatives with an environmental impact, according to María Cristina González, executive vice president of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Banco Popular, who spoke to El Vocero.
In which areas will the bicycle service be available?
Currently, biciPOP will have 200 parking spots in San Juan. After using a bicycle, you will need to park it at one of Skootel's designated spots, whose locations appear on a map in the app. The company expects to expand its services to 15 municipalities in the metro area and other towns by 2023.
What is Skootel?
Known as the first micromobility company in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Skootel allows users to rent alternative transportation vehicles by the minute through an app. The company was founded in 2019 by Puerto Rican entrepreneurs Juan Carlos Parra and Aldo Briano. It currently has a team of 50 employees and expects to open about 60 more positions following the launch of biciPOP.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
