Living in the city — do you still need to drive a car to get around?
Jul 29, 2022
Living in a city can be fun and exciting. But on the flip side, it can also be stressful— especially when it comes to commuting.
And owning a car isn’t always the best solution for your daily city commute. If you’re on a budget, don’t want the hassle of car maintenance, and want to travel more sustainably, then it might be time to look for alternatives.
If that sounds like you, sustainable and affordable shared micromobility vehicles could be the answer.
With various options available, you could save valuable time that would otherwise be spent sitting in traffic jams, polluting the environment.
Zoom through the streets on e-scooters
One of the easiest ways to get around town is on an environmentally friendly e-scooter. It’s a convenient choice when you’re short on time — no need to waste precious seconds waiting around in traffic; plus, you’ll be playing your part in reducing CO2 emissions.
Compared to the upfront and long-term costs of buying a car, e-scooters are affordable. You can unlock scooters for free and ride for just 0.16 euro per minute. And if you want to make a day of it, you’ll pay 15 euros and enjoy unlimited rides for a whole day.
They’re also ideal for covering shorter distances, e.g., the first or last part of your commute, from or to a bus or train station.
Driving a car for these shorter distances is unnecessary and costly both on your bank balance and the environment. So give your wallet a break and try out this more affordable alternative.
Furthermore, scooter riding is safer than you might think.
We work towards ensuring you ride safely and responsibly. That’s why we developed the Safety Toolkit that includes the following:
Beginner Mode, which limits the maximum speed to help you learn how to ride an e-scooter;
How to ride tips for beginners;
Safety tips to encourage safe and responsible riding;
Local rules regarding local micromobility regulations.
Scooters can experience wear and tear over time due to overuse, vandalism, the weather, and poor infrastructure. But we take extra care to ensure Bolt scooters are durable and easy to use.
Bolt scooters:
Last around 60 months — more than the average lifespan of other scooters on the market;
Are easily repairable and replaceable at a cost-effective rate;
Are made with 90% aluminium which is 100% recyclable (70% less plastic than other scooters(;
Use 15% less energy to transport a person and 43% less power in maintenance transportation.
Finally, e-scooters are incredibly easy to ride. Ensure you follow traffic and safety rules — including no tandem riding — and you’re good to go!
Hop on an e-bike
If you know how to ride a bike, this should be easy — simply ride how you would a regular bicycle. E-bikes are great when you need to go out for a quick task — like grocery shopping or some errands around town. Cycling’s also a fun way to maintain good health!
If you haven’t tried our e-bikes, they might be the perfect sustainable choice! And as with scooters, you can rent a bike for a day, so you don’t need to worry about finishing and starting multiple rides.
And since purchasing an e-bike might not be possible or practical, Bolt e-bikes are the perfect alternative — you won’t need to worry if your apartment building has a designated bike parking zone.
Let’s take a closer look at Bolt’s e-bike specs:
The e-bike handlebar is ergonomic, and the adjustable seat allows riders to fix the height according to their preference;
It has a handy front basket to place your bags and other personal items;
All e-bikes are environmentally friendly with swappable batteries;
The maximum motor-assisted speed on the e-bike is 25 km/h;
You can travel up to 90 km on a single charge.
Whether it’s your first time riding our e-bikes or not, we take safety seriously and encourage you to follow safety instructions carefully.
Before you get started, here are a couple of helpful tips to keep you safe:
When riding an e-bike, wear a helmet, wristbands and knee pads;
Remember to slow down in advance and maintain a low speed when going downhill;
Don’t ride the e-bike during adverse weather conditions like heavy rain or snow;
Don’t use chargers or other scooter parts from companies other than Bolt;
Don’t ride the e-bike up or downstairs, and avoid riding over bumpy or slippery surfaces at high speeds;
Don’t ride an e-bike if you’re pregnant or under the influence of alcohol.
Bolt Drive — the comfort of a private car, minus the stress
We appreciate that e-scooters and e-bikes may not be ideal for every occasion. You’re more likely to choose your car if you go out of town for a getaway with friends. And that’s where the convenience and independence of owning a car come into play — you can simply hop into your vehicle and take off.
But what if there was an alternative? With Bolt Drive, you can enjoy the privacy and comfort of a personal car without the hassle of owning one.
Here’s how you benefit by renting a Bolt Drive car:
A one-time fee that covers fuel, car hire, parking, and insurance;
A wide range of vehicle options — Compact, Mid-size, Electric, Premium, SUV, and Van;
No need to download an additional app — use your existing Bolt app to find the nearest car available;
Fuss-free drop-off — park the vehicle within designated zones shown in the app when done;
24/7 car rental whenever you need.
Book a Bolt ride!
Finally, if you’re not in a position to ride an e-bike or e-scooter or use Bolt Drive — simply book a Bolt ride home. We look after your safety at every stage — before, during, and after the ride.
Make sure you get into the right car by matching the driver’s face and registration plate with what’s shown in the app. And remember that you can share your trip’s progress with loved ones using the Share my ETA feature.
And by choosing private car alternatives – like our e-scooters and e-bikes — you’re helping to reduce air and noise pollution in your city one ride at a time.
So, open the Bolt app, find a nearby e-vehicle, and take it for a spin!