Uber enters Europe's crowded bike-sharing market.
Uber acquired the startup JUMP as part of a push to become the go-to app for urban transportation, whether it's buses, bikes, cars, or even trains, allowing people to book rides across a variety of services.
(Reuters)- Uber, the ride-hailing company that has been banned in many European cities, is about to launch its JUMP electric bike-sharing service in Germany, in its quest to diversify and build ties with local authorities.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi made the announcement at a conference in Berlin, while dozens of German taxi drivers outside waved signs saying "Uber go home".
“I want this to signal a deep commitment to Germany,” said Khosrowshahi, arriving on stage on a bright red JUMP bicycle.
"Germany is a small sign of what the new Uber can be. We want to work with local governments and cities to make our model work."
Uber has faced a difficult situation in Europe, where protests by traditional taxi drivers have turned violent in the past and court restrictions have forced it to shut down some of its services, including in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium.
Furthermore, Uber and other app-based companies have been accused of causing congestion in major cities like London.
Uber acquired the startup JUMP as part of a push to become the go-to app for urban transportation, whether it's buses, bikes, cars, or even trains, allowing people to book rides across a variety of services.
The stationless electric bike-sharing service has already been launched in San Francisco, where there are 250 bikes, and in Washington.
By Julia Fioretti