Swapfiets

Swapfiets operates on a 'bicycle-as-a-service' model, providing members with a durable bicycle for a fixed monthly fee. The company was founded in 2014 in Delft, Netherlands, by three mechanical engineering students from Delft University of Technology: Richard Burger, Dirk de Bruijn, and Martijn Obers. Steven Uitentuis later joined the founding team. The idea originated from the common frustration among students with bike maintenance and the prevalence of broken-down bicycles. Their solution was to offer a subscription that guarantees a consistently functional bike, transforming bicycle ownership from an asset with maintenance burdens into a hassle-free service.

The business generates revenue exclusively through monthly subscription fees paid by its customers. These fees, which vary by bike model and location, cover the cost of the bicycle, all-inclusive maintenance, and repair services. If a bike breaks down, Swapfiets commits to repairing or swapping it within 48 hours at no extra cost. This service is aimed at a broad market, including students, urban commuters, and eco-conscious individuals who value convenience. The company's business model is a form of Product-as-a-Service (PaaS), where it retains ownership of the bicycles, incentivizing the design of durable, long-lasting, and easily repairable products to minimize operational costs. This approach supports a circular economy, with the company aiming for its bicycles to be 100% circular by 2025.

Swapfiets offers a range of products, including traditional city bikes (the 'Original' and 'Deluxe 7'), and electric options like the 'Power 1' and 'Power 7' e-bikes, each identifiable by an iconic blue front tire. Members manage their subscriptions and schedule repairs through a mobile app. Initially targeting students in university towns, the company has since expanded its customer base to include non-students, who now represent a significant portion of its clientele in major cities. Starting in Delft, Swapfiets strategically expanded to similar Dutch cities before entering larger markets like Amsterdam. It has since grown its operations across Europe, serving cities in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, the UK, and beyond. In 2019, Pon Holdings, a Dutch transport conglomerate, acquired a majority stake in Swapfiets, further fueling its growth.

Keywords: bicycle subscription, bike as a service, micro-mobility, urban mobility, circular economy, bike rental, e-bike subscription, sustainable transport, bicycle maintenance, Delft startup, Richard Burger, Dirk de Bruijn, Martijn Obers, Pon Holdings, hassle-free cycling, city bike, bike leasing, mobility as a service, European scale-up, subscription model