JCDecaux to electrify a third of Villo! bikes in Brussels
JCDecaux will electrify approximately one-third of its Villo! bike-sharing fleet in Brussels, introducing electric assistance and portable batteries to 1,800 bikes by spring 2019.
Outdoor advertising company JCDecaux announced in late 2018 that its Belgian subsidiary will expand its Villo! bike-sharing scheme in Brussels. Under an agreement with the Brussels Government, around 1,800 of the 5,000 existing Villo! bikes will be converted to electric models.
The introduction of these e-bikes is planned for spring 2019. They will feature portable batteries with USB-C charging and are expected to offer a range of 8-10 kilometers on a single charge. This upgrade aims to make cycling easier in the city's hilly terrain.
The project, entirely financed by JCDecaux, also includes the digitization of some street furniture advertising panels. These digital displays will be capable of broadcasting real-time public information and geo-located advertisements.
The Villo! service, which launched in 2009, currently serves 114,000 users with 360 docking stations. A new, more user-friendly mobile application is also scheduled for release in 2019.