In brief
Addis Bike, Ethiopia’s pioneering bike‑sharing service, has expanded its fleet from 20 to 100 bicycles and recorded more than 35,000 sign‑ups and 51,000 trips since its October 2024 launch. The growth is supported by government‑built bike lanes and a transport policy that favors non‑motorised vehicles, but challenges such as limited docking infrastructure and public awareness remain. Users—including government workers and students—cite affordability and flexibility as key benefits.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Bike has increased its fleet from 20 to 100 bicycles, registering more than 35,000 sign‑ups and 51,000 trips since its August 2024 launch.
Chief technical officer Yeabsera Yismashewa sits in his office in the city’s main business district, watching the new bicycles line the newly constructed bike lanes that stretch along the busiest streets.
The government’s recent expansion of dedicated bike lanes and policies that encourage non‑motorised and electric transport have created a supportive backdrop for the service, Yismashewa told Xinhua.
According to its own data, rides carried out over the past year average 30 minutes, with a 30‑minute ride costing 95 Ethiopian birr (about 0.6 U.S. dollars). The company claims the pricing model has attracted a broad base of users.
"We have seen a growing number of people using the bike‑sharing service in the city," Yismashewa said in a recent interview.
Many of the riders are government employees who find it hard to secure a taxi or bus during morning rush hours, Yismashewa explained. The service offers an alternative for short, daily journeys that would otherwise involve longer waits and higher costs.
"We recognized that many daily journeys in the city cover relatively short distances, yet people often spend considerable time and money to reach their destinations," he added.
Student Eyoas Girma is one of the young commuters who uses the bike‑sharing service to travel between home and school.
"These days, it is very difficult to get a taxi during morning hours. I prefer to ride the bike to school," Girma said, noting that he finds the service more "flexible and economical."
Despite the uptick in usage, the company acknowledges that low public awareness, limited docking infrastructure, and ingrained travel habits still present obstacles to broader adoption.
In a follow‑up statement, Yismashewa said the company is working to address these issues by installing more parking and docking stations and running public outreach campaigns.
Addis Bike’s operating model relies on digital fleet management, including Global Positioning System tracking and a smart‑lock system that allows the company to monitor each bicycle’s status in real time and respond quickly to misuse.
The operator also emphasizes the environmental advantages of its service, noting that it reduces traffic congestion and lowers emissions compared to motorised transport.
Overall, Addis Bike’s expansion demonstrates how a new, affordable mobility option can reshape daily commuting in Ethiopia’s fastest‑growing city, while highlighting the need for continued investment in infrastructure and public education to sustain the trend.
