JoBike bridges Metro’s last-mile gap with cycling

For commuters stepping off the Metro Rail at Uttara North, the journey no longer has to end with an expensive rickshaw ride. A bicycle, available for just Tk1 per minute, now offers a cheaper, healthier and more convenient way to cover the final stretch.

Launched on November 5 beneath Uttara North Metro Rail Station, the bicycle-sharing service by local company JoBike seeks to bridge the last-mile transport gap, giving passengers an opportunity to beat traffic congestion while keeping commuting costs down.

The company said around 1,300 people had registered since the launch, with 40 to 50 rides taking place daily. Five bicycles are currently available at the station, with individual rides lasting between 30 minutes and one and a half hours.

However, users have reported technical difficulties in unlocking bicycles, a lack of helmets and limited parking facilities.

To use the service, customers must download the JoBike app, register with a mobile number and complete identity verification. Bicycles can then be unlocked by scanning a QR code. The company charges Tk2 as an unlocking fee and Tk1 per minute, meaning a 30-minute ride costs Tk32.

Although the app supports account recharging through mobile financial services such as bKash, the facility is currently unavailable. Instead, company representatives add credits directly to users' accounts.
Several customers said network problems sometimes delay the QR code scanning process.

People aged 18 to 35, particularly students and young professionals, are the main users of the service. Tarikul Islam Tamal, a customer, said the initiative could benefit students and working people despite occasional technical problems.

He, however, complained that the bicycle pedals felt stiff and raised concerns about responsibility in case of theft. He also suggested improving the bicycles' usability.

Hanif, a student at a private university in Uttara, said he had enjoyed cycling with friends but suggested establishing a parking station near his campus to make the service more accessible to students.

Local resident Anwar Hossain said he usually paid Tk40 to Tk50 for a rickshaw ride from the metro station to his home, a journey that could be completed in about 10 minutes by bicycle.

He said the service could substantially reduce commuting costs but suggested introducing electric bicycles as another option.

JoBike currently operates two parking stations in Uttara, one beneath Uttara North Metro Rail Station and the other at Rupayan City. The company plans to expand the facilities based on user demand.

Safety remains another concern, as helmets are not yet available. JoBike said it had placed an order for helmets and expected to distribute them soon. The company has also assigned an employee to oversee bicycle maintenance.

Mehedi Reza, founder and chief executive officer of JoBike, said the bicycles were equipped with GPS technology to monitor their locations and prevent theft.

Each bicycle operates within a designated zone. If a user takes one outside the permitted area, the company contacts them by phone. If it is not returned, employees are sent to retrieve it.

Reza said no bicycles had been lost in Uttara since the launch, although some had gone missing in other parts of the country and were subsequently recovered.

The company plans to introduce 50 bicycles at each metro rail station. Within the next six months, it aims to expand the service to Uttara North, Uttara Centre and Uttara South stations before considering other locations based on demand.

Reza said JoBike had secured the opportunity through a tender process conducted by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).

He encouraged commuters to cycle for at least 10 minutes daily, saying the habit could reduce short-distance transportation expenses while contributing to physical fitness.