Anyone who visits a city often has surely already noticed this. Recently, there are more and more bicycles with blue front tires. The culprit is Swapfiets, a Dutch company that is conquering Europe. But what exactly does Swapfiets do? And can you even benefit from it? We get it. “Actually, it’s like Spotify, but for bikes.”
To explain the idea behind Swapfiets, we have to go back to 2014. At that time, four Dutch students saw how their peers regularly fought with their bikes. The brakes don’t work, the bell is missing or the chain is corroded. In summary, the bikes are of poor quality. This gives them an idea: why don’t we rent bikes ourselves that are always in good condition? The first bike subscription in the world is born.
LOOK. Suddenly you see bikes with blue tires everywhere? This is what Swapfietsen look like.
How exactly does it work?
The concept is simple. For a fixed amount per month you get a bike that always works. Is something broken? Then Swapfiets will repair the bike within 48 hours or provide a replacement bike. In some cases this can be done at your home, but also in one of their shops.
You can also choose from three types of bikes. For a normal seven-speed bicycle you pay around 19.90 euros per month. Do you prefer to drive electric? Then you can opt for the Power 1 (€59.90 per month), which has a range of 80 kilometers and recharges in four hours. If you really have to travel great distances, you can also rent the Power 7. It costs 79.90 euros a month and has a range of 100 kilometres.
Important to know: If you take out a subscription with Swapfiets, you can only cancel it after six months. If you prefer not to do it, you pay about 29.90 euros more when you register. You also pay extra if you cycle more than 1,000 kilometers a month or use your rental bike for deliveries. In this case it is an extra 50 euros per month.
And Belgium?
Swapfiets has already spread throughout Europe. The company now has more than 280,000 members in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy and the UK. The company is also expanding in our country. “Meanwhile, there are already 10,000 Swapfietsen in circulation in Belgium,” says Brand Manager Eline Berckmans. “We have service areas in Ghent, Antwerp, Mechelen, Brussels and Leuven. If you live in such an area, Swapfiets can deliver and repair your bike to your home. Don’t you live in such an area? So you can still drive a Swapfiets, but the company can’t come to your home for delivery, repairs or replacement.
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