Former BMC CEO invests in PubliBike Swiss bike share scheme
Three investors, including former BMC CEO Thomas Binggeli, have acquired Swiss bike share scheme PubliBike.
The partial management buyout see former PubliBike CEO Markus Bacher, joined by Binggeli and IT entrepreneur Guido Honegger, bringing cycling and IT expertise into a business looking to drive the business forward after a period of mixed fortunes.
Launched in 2009, and headquartered in Bern, PubliBike operates the largest Swiss bicycle rental system, has a presence in 35 Swiss municipalities, with 620 stations and 5,300 bicycles, about half of which are motorised, and manufactured by Swiss manufacturer Tour de Suisse. 190,000 customers made 2.5 million trips in 2021.
Prior to the sale PubliBike was an independent public limited company, belonging to the Swiss Post, forming part of the mobility services of the Post; together with PostBus and Post Company Cars SA.
Investment into bike share and e-bike schemes has seen a significant upward trajectory over the past two years, a trend which shows no sign of slowing. Significantly, much of this interest has come from actors outside of the cycling industry, including auto manufacturers and investment banks, signalling a real shift in viewpoint of both active transport and e-mobility. The trend is not just limited to bicycles and e-Bikes, with electric scooters also a key beneficiary.
