The Chinese bike-sharing giant wants to set up in Paris

HelloBike, the leader in shared mobility in China, is applying to install its self-service bikes in Paris by 2025.

To give you an idea of the power of the HelloRide group, of which HelloBike is a subsidiary, the company has deployed over 7 million bikes in China to date. This has sparked its interest in expansion, and after Australia and Singapore, the Greater Paris area is next on its radar.

By establishing itself in Paris, HelloBike aims not only to deploy bikes in the city but also to showcase products made in France. To secure a place in the French landscape, HelloBike also intends to collaborate with local associations and civil society to promote safety and address women’s specific needs related to access to transportation. Additionally, around a hundred family bikes will be offered to include families in shared transport modalities, which are currently almost exclusively individual.

Made in France to attract

No imports of bikes from China, therefore, but electric-assist bikes designed and assembled in France, at the CIBox factory in Révin, in the Ardennes department, in the Grand Est region. The production line is expected to create 40 jobs. HelloBike has also integrated sorting and waste management processes into its development plan to ensure the recycling or reuse of its products. A responsible management of the product lifecycle, promoting the circular economy and fitting into a local ecosystem.

Finally, by deploying a fleet of 6,000 bikes in peripheral areas and not just in the capital, HelloBike aims to provide all residents of Île-de-France with efficient and sustainable transport alternatives. An ambitious yet thoughtful program that may raise some concerns for current players in an already saturated market.

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