Bike Share

Overview

In early 2013, a TechCrunch article caught my attention, igniting thoughts of innovation and possibility. Initially considered for TC Disrupt, the concept of a bike share in Nairobi lingered, with my teammates Guy Aram and Neville Mugambi often playfully discussing its potential. However, it wasn’t until December 2014, amid brainstorming sessions on how to maximize the 300 euros raised from a crowdfunding campaign, that the idea resurfaced. We debated between investing in cleaning equipment for potential contracts or pursuing a more impactful endeavor, fueled by our year-long involvement in city market cleanups.

The pivotal moment arrived when, as a volunteer for OpenIDEO’s renewable energy challenge, I was repeatedly encouraged to submit our own ideas. This prompted deeper discussions within our team, culminating in the concept of a campus bike share to empower villages with solar kits. With funds finally secured, our journey began. Despite initial setbacks and disagreements, we procured bikes, developed prototypes, and navigated partnerships, culminating in a three-bicycle prototype by January 2015.

Our commitment to agility and innovation led us through various challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints.

Despite uncertainties and disappointments, pivotal moments like participating in the Design Thinking for IoT program in 2016 reinvigorated our drive. Collaborative efforts, such as hosting a makerthon during Nairobi Innovation Week, bolstered community engagement and provided invaluable feedback.

However, as the project progressed, funding constraints and organizational shifts tested our resilience. Despite these challenges, the bike-share pilot, launched in 2017, emerged as a beacon of innovation in city universities. Garnering widespread acclaim and exceeding user expectations, it showcased the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives.

Moving forward, our focus remains on expansion and technological enhancement. Plans to replicate the bike share in five additional communities, alongside the development of a mobile app, underscore our commitment to sustainable urban mobility. As we navigate this journey, our emphasis on community engagement and technological innovation continues to drive our vision of a more accessible and interconnected urban landscape.