The vehicle sharing market in Italy is thriving. According to the 9th National Report on Sharing Mobility:

“Total turnover in the vehicle-sharing sector stood at just over 200 million euros in 2024, an increase of 4% on the previous year, but lower than the 11% growth recorded between 2022 and 2023. The largest shares of the total are still held by e-scooter sharing and free-floating car sharing, accounting for 36% and 31% respectively. Also worth highlighting is the expansion of free-floating bike sharing, which reached a 17% share in 2024, up from 15% in 2023.”

The growth trend is confirmed by McKinsey, which explains how shared micromobility has shaped habits in European cities and beyond:

• +10% shared trips in the USA from 2018 to 2023
• +5% kilometres cycled by users in Germany between 2017 and 2023
• 70% of consumers worldwide are inclined to use shared vehicles in the future, especially bikes (e-bikes and regular bikes) and e-kick scooters
• 60% of US and European cities are adapting their infrastructure for electric micromobility

In its analysis, McKinsey estimates that this growth could double or triple the market value of private and shared micromobility, led by the European market, which according to the well-known consultancy could reach 140 billion dollars by 2030 on its own.

If you are an entrepreneur looking to invest in the sector, here are the factors and figures to bear in mind when making your choice.

Costs and revenues in bike sharing and e-scooter sharing

McKinsey also warns of a potential risk, however: sometimes low profitability becomes an obstacle for businesses in this sector.

Based on our experience at BikeBoom, which costs do you need to cover and keep in check?

• The cost of buying vehicles, which can be reduced by negotiating favourable commercial agreements with manufacturers and dealers;
• Operating costs (fleet management, maintenance, repairs, damaged vehicles, etc.), which can be reduced by adopting an efficient, modern digital platform.

From this point of view, choosing to open a bike sharing or e-scooter sharing franchise protects the entrepreneur. For example, the BikeBoom franchise programme includes the purchase of road-legal vehicles connected via IoT to the BikeBoom app (free for partners).

This means lower purchase costs for vehicles from the best international brands, and always knowing where your vehicles are and what condition they are in. The risk of damage and accidents is reduced thanks to Geofence features and preset speed limits.

Bike sharing vs e-scooter sharing: where should you invest?

E-bikes and e-kick scooters meet different mobility needs. The key to a successful sharing service is matching supply with demand.

Below, we offer some advice to help you make the best choice

E-scooter sharing: key points to consider.

• The e-kick scooter is particularly suitable if you want to target commuters who need a nimble vehicle for the last stretch of their journey to work, one they can also take on board buses and trains.
• In high-density areas, daily unlock rates are very high, but hourly prices are lower than for e-bikes.
• On the other hand, the initial investment (which is always flexible with BikeBoom’s offers) is generally lower than for bike sharing, precisely because an e-scooter costs less than an e-bike.
• We also suggest considering your target audience. An e-scooter sharing service often appeals to Generation Z, Millennials, university students and sometimes tourists.
• The ideal area is flat and densely populated, with lots of young people or lots of tourists.

How much does it cost to open an e-scooter sharing service?

The initial investment varies depending on the number of vehicles and other factors. Scalable solutions are available for BikeBoom partners. For example, you can open an e-scooter sharing service with 20 vehicles (of your choice) in the fleet, from €9,900.

Bike sharing: key points to consider.

Cycling is a planned mobility choice: not complementary to, but an alternative to public transport (buses, trains, metro) or private transport (cars, mopeds).

The initial cost of e-bikes is generally higher than for e-scooters, but their life cycle is longer and they need less maintenance. You get even more benefits by choosing e-bikes designed to stay outdoors, resistant to rain and bad weather, like the ones you can get by opening a bike sharing franchise with BikeBoom.

The target audience is broader and spans more age groups. What’s more, bikes are used by tourists, students, workers and commuters alike.

The e-bike has greater institutional appeal, and opening a sharing service is often made easier by agreements with Municipalities, sponsorships, dedicated parking areas, etc.

The kind of area where we suggest opening an e-bike sharing service is flat or gently sloping, ideally with out-of-town cycle paths, where traffic is pushing residents to look for alternatives to the car.

How much does it cost to open an e-bike sharing service?

The cost of opening depends on several factors, including the number of vehicles in the fleet. With BikeBoom you can start a sharing fleet of 20 e-bikes from €14,900. All the vehicles supplied come from the world’s best manufacturers and comply with the regulations currently in force for road use.

The choice from a business point of view

If you are aiming for quick cash flow, high vehicle and user turnover, and you have a flat area with a high density of young people, you could invest in e-scooter sharing.

If instead you prefer to build a long-lasting service, minimise obsolescence costs and work with local institutions on an integrated long-term service, we suggest investing in bike sharing.

Either way, remember that by opening a BikeBoom franchise you are entitled to dedicated advice to guide your decision and your choice of vehicles for your fleet, from the best international brands. As well as administrative support throughout the entire opening process.

Why choose the franchise model to open a sharing service?

The real advantage of investing in a BikeBoom franchise is that you are never on your own. You will have:

1. High-end proprietary technology: a user and operator app that tells you in real time where your vehicles are, their battery level and any maintenance needs, with advanced features for receiving payments, applying geofences and detecting faults and problems with vehicles;
2. Full support: we help you liaise with Municipalities to obtain permits and take part in public tenders, and we give you the training you need to learn how to manage the vehicles operationally;
3. Scalable investments: you can start your business with progressive, tailored investment plans. You also get discounted rates on spare parts and national marketing support to bring more users to your local fleet.

Contact our consultants for a free analysis of your area: together we will study the geography, population and flows of your city, your resources and your budget, to work out the best and most profitable investment for your sharing service.

To find out more, visit the dedicated page: https://newsite.bikeboom.it/en/franchising/sharing/

Contact BikeBoom