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We tried Swapfiets, an innovative bike subscription

undefined undefined 25 mai 2021 undefined 16h55

undefined undefined 3 janvier 2024 undefined 10h54

The Editor

How great it is to pedal around Paris with the wind in your hair, especially now that the City has made this type of transportation easier. But between the cost of buying, the risk of theft, and the maintenance, any self-respecting cyclist knows how challenging it can be. Tired of all these problems, we decided to test out Swapfiets, an ultra innovative bike subscription system. The verdict? Trying it out is adopting it.

It was on a lovely summer evening that my beloved bicycle was shamelessly stolen in front of my favorite bar. After a mourning period that lasted the equivalent of a year of taking the metro, I finally decided to buy a new bike. The problem? Our tandem bike had only started a few weeks ago and already the newborn is sitting in the yard with a flat tire. With the sunny days approaching, I still don't have a bike to roam around the city, so I needed to come up with a plan. Rumors in the neighborhood whispered that Swapfiets - a bike subscription service that has been around since 2014 in 9 countries - had established itself in Paris. Created by three Dutch students who were tired of constantly repairing or replacing their bikes, Swapfiets seems to be a small revolution. The idea? A subscription service that promotes freedom and flexibility.Monthly without commitment, allowing us to have a quality full-time bike. The promise is enticing: if the bike has the slightest problem, whether it has broken down, been damaged, or stolen, a technician will intervene within 48 hours to repair or replace it... at no cost! That was all I needed to hear to make me want to test the service right away. Without hesitation, I sign up on the website and choose my bike; mechanical with one speed, with 7 speeds, or electric? It must be said that the basic offer would cost me the equivalent of a cup of coffee per day. So, I opt for the most economical one. To finalize my order, I enter my height and choose whether I want it delivered to my home or if I will pick it up in-store. A committed service for the environment. I arrive at the...store from the next day. In about twenty minutes, I am now the temporary owner of a beautiful navy blue city bike. Then I learn that I can switch my subscription at any time: "if you want to switch to an electric bike in a few weeks, there's no problem," the technician explains to me. He also explains that although the bikes are refurbished and therefore contribute to a circular economy, I can rely on their robustness and quality: "from their design to their construction to their repair, all the bikes come from the same factories as renowned bicycle brands." In addition to the freedom and flexibility that the service offers me, I have to admit that the ride is enjoyable and its use is extremely practical. And as if that wasn't enough, my new acquisition is part of a sustainable and responsible consumption mode. There it is, I already love it. [Image: Navy blue city bike by Swapfiets]

Swapfiets
Starting from €16.90 per month
115 Boulevard de Sébastopol - 2nd
www.swapfiets.com