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“It’s a success for us if a single e-bike or e-moped can serve multiple customers over its lifetime,” says Eric Quidenus-Wahlforss, CEO and co-founding father of Berlin-based startup Dance.
As with many new mobility startups, Dance is betting that within the close to future, metropolis dwellers won’t need to personal most of the issues they use and stay unencumbered by costly, sometimes used objects of their quick-paced lives.
While there are a number of firms, together with iMove and elmo, for instance, believing that non-public automotive possession isn’t lengthy for this world, Dance has taken it a step additional by providing short-term e-bikes and e-mopeds.
“The current ways of purchasing and sharing bicycles do not serve everyone,” Quidenus-Wahlforss explains. “In a survey we did with Wakefield Research of Europeans in major cities, they recognise that light electric mobility, such as e-bikes and e-mopeds, are more sustainable and healthy options, but they see ownership as an investment and the purchase process as a hassle.”
So, is Dance tolling the demise knell for personal bicycles?
A Livable Future
“We founded Dance to make cities more livable,” says Quidenus-Wahlforss. “That means creating cities that are more connected, more sustainable and more people-oriented. And the top way we can do that is by decreasing car traffic in urban areas.”
Dance, which was based again in January 2020, has proved a uncommon success story from the pandemic.
“The last few years has accelerated healthy conversation and change about what we prioritise in cities,” Quidenus-Wahlforss says. “People rediscovered cycling and reconsidered their old ways of commuting and travelling and they saw the immediate benefits of having fewer cars on the road.”
If Quidenus-Wahlforss’ title rings a bell, that shouldn’t be shocking. He based Souncloud in 2007 together with fellow Swede Alexander Ljung. The two would additionally discovered Dance, together with Christian Springub.
![Dance One](https://preview.autofutures.tv/2022/03/19133035/dance-one.jpg)
“There is a global appetite to rethink our cities,” explains Quidenus-Wahlforss, “and there’s a great opportunity for a service like ours to serve the needs of people that want to choose a more sustainable option, but also want simplicity and support. Electric mobility membership is a flexible option, and we’re excited to introduce more people to our community.”
The rising need to journey in higher, extra sustainable methods round city centres is actually being felt within the choose markets that Dance is already working in. From its Berlin base, Dance grew to Hamburg, Vienna, and Paris earlier this month.
“Car-free initiatives and increased cycling infrastructure will only increase in popularity around the world,” says Quidenus-Wahlforss.
“Munich and Vienna have made meaningful cycling infrastructure investments in the hundreds of millions. Paris has committed to spending €250 million on infrastructure improvements as they work to be 100% recyclable. Berlin has received international attention for proposing a car-free zone bigger than Manhattan.”
Thinking Differently
“We are proud to be a subscription, not a sales or sharing business,” says Quidenus-Wahlforss. “Traditional bike companies aim to sell as many bikes as possible each season. Sharing companies depend on municipalities to fund their work.
“Our model is different: we want to build relationships with members, make it as easy as possible for them to choose a more sustainable commute, and encourage them to use their e-bikes and e-mopeds over and over again.”
![Dance Moped](https://preview.autofutures.tv/2022/03/19133228/dance-Moped.jpg)
In Dance’s conception of city mobility, proudly owning a motorcycle comes with all types of annoying issues whereas sharing bikes require upfront prices for cities current issues for customers.
“Traditional ownership comes with the burden of maintenance, dealing with theft, and a steep upfront investment. Shared vehicles mean you have to hope vehicles are available where you are,” explains Quidenus-Wahlforss.
Not with the ability to discover a sharing bike – whether or not electrified or not – is without doubt one of the most annoying components of sustainable mobility. You need to do the precise factor however can’t.
However, Dance’s totally different outlook doesn’t merely prolong to the ways in which it will get bikes to prospects.
“What we focus on at Dance is the whole membership experiences,” says Quidenus-Wahlforss. “It isn’t just about design choices with vehicles, but what our member experiences in the onboarding, repair, maintenance, and return experience. Our software, hardware, and operations teams work closely to ensure we’re making the experience as frictionless as possible.”
That {hardware} workforce is liable for the fashionable Dance One and Dance Step One e-bikes.
“The Dance bikes are a custom design,” enthuses Quidenus-Wahlforss, “created by experts across aviation, engineering, consumer products, and cycling here in Germany.
The bikes, which start from €59 per month, feature an aluminium frame finished in a silvery-purple hue called “Matte Prism.” The Dance One is designed for riders between 160-195 cm tall whereas the Dance One Step – the title a nod to its step-by means of body – is supposed for barely smaller riders.
![Dance One Step](https://preview.autofutures.tv/2022/03/19133110/dance-one-step.jpg)
Both can hit a high help velocity of 25 kph, whereas the detachable battery ought to be capable of take riders as much as 55 km and might be recharged to 80% in two hours.
However, not content material with providing bike subscriptions to people, Dance additionally launched a enterprise service final month which, from our view, appears like a really savvy piece of enterprise.
“Dance for Business was a strategic choice for us. It is designed for companies that want to offer a sustainable commute option for their employees who are contending with a few trends,” explains Quidenus-Wahlforss.
€59 monthly is pricey for a motorcycle – even an e-bike. However, with Dance Business, folks might pay as little as €26.55 monthly, with their employers choosing up the slack.
“Today’s labour market is incredibly competitive, and companies are completely rethinking how they want to attract and retain their employees. Benefits are a key part of that recalibration, especially ones that are tied to health and sustainability,” says Quidenus-Wahlforss.
“Offices are beginning to reopen, and many employees are rethinking how, when, and if they’d like to commute. Perhaps they no longer want to drive for 90 minutes each day; maybe they’ve moved and need a way to better connect to public transit hubs. Perhaps they’re looking for a more active way to get around.
“By providing an e-bike or an e-moped as a benefit, companies can engage their employees and show they care about their wellbeing in a low-pressure, simple way.”
Built for Everyone?
Looking into Dance’s providing, it’s clear who the corporate is focusing on. Young, stylish, city professionals with busy, lively life and one eye on the atmosphere.
But its bikes are costly and its Business providing will seemingly solely be taken up by the form of firms that need to entice younger, stylish, city professionals.
Of course, this downside isn’t distinctive to Dance. VanMoof’s e-bikes, for instance, begin from €2,348 – or €88 monthly – in Dance’s native Germany.
However, with the corporate elevating €16.5 million final September and increasing to new cities, and launching its e-moped subscription service in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, it’s clear that there’s undoubtedly curiosity.
“Our goal is to cultivate a thriving community globally, continuously improving our vehicles and service as we grow. We are encouraged by the positive feedback from members and prospective members so far,” says Quidenus-Wahlforss.
Plus, with additional growth deliberate this yr, it actually appears as if Dance is focusing on the precise movers and shakers to maintain the music greater than merely enjoying.