Uber to enter Seattle’s bike-share space

Uber intends to launch its newly-acquired Jump electric bikes in Seattle, US, in a move which could increase competition among rival firms. The ride-hailing company will decide on whether to apply for a permit once regulations have been mapped out by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDoT).

SDoT is finalising a permit programme for bike-share operators and plans to present a proposal to the city council next month.

A report by the <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000link-external Seattle TimesSeattle times website linkfalsehttp://https//www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/uber-wants-to-join-seattles-bike-share-battle/falsefalse%> says three bike-share companies operate in the city on one-year permits and pay minimal fees in exchange for giving a range of data to the city.

“They’ve turned over the kind of usage and ridership data that Uber has long fought, and continues to fight, to keep secret in its ride-hailing business”, the report adds.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the company wants to bring together multiple modes of transport within the company's app and allow users to choose the fastest or most affordable way to reach their destination.