BIKE CABS FOR MELBOURNE
A$25,685
of $25,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 31st Oct 2014 at 3:10AM.
Friday afternoon in central Melbourne. The streets are choked with traffic. You can't get a taxi for love or money. Finally one pulls over. Where to? the driver asks. Just up to Fitzroy, you say. The driver shakes his head and speeds off. You're going to be late for dinner. What's the plan? Run?
Introducing Melbourne Bike Cabs! Pull out your phone and in seconds a cab's on its way. Pile into the back, give the rider the address and you're off, cutting up the inside bike lanes, cruising past gridlocked, frustrated traffic, watching the city roll past at street-level. You're safely at the restaurant door in a quarter of the time, for a great price, with zero carbon emissions.
Kimbra gives her Bike Cabs rider a break.
Melbourne Bike Cabs provides locals with a quick, clean and green alternative to public transport and taxis. Starting with four bike cabs, our vision is to see the streets of our beloved city teeming with a whole lot more bikes, and a whole lot less noisy, polluting traffic.
Most big cities in the world have cycle rickshaws, and it's time that the world's most liveable city - a hub of sport, good health and sustainable living - had their own. Our city is pretty much flat. We have more and more safe, dedicated bike lanes separated from the main flow of traffic. It's the perfect setting for a pedal-powered alternative taxi service.
Read on for more about Bike Cabs, how it'll work, our business model, and how it can help you out. We’d love you to get behind our campaign by pledging, by passing the word around, and by using our service once we start rolling. Your support will help launch a sustainable alternative to the taxi industry and increase the liveability of our city.
Thanks for your time, consideration and support!
The Bike Cabs team
Initially Bike Cabs will be booked online, by phone or hailed in the street. The ranks will be in the north, central, south, east and west of the CBD. Bike cabs will transport everyone from inner-city office workers to shoppers to students and tourists, and might be the perfect way to cruise along our busy streets. We will begin by operating on weekdays and selected hours on the weekends. You can pay for your bike cab by cash and card.
The next step is creating a phone app for bookings, and expanding the service hours throughout the week and into the night. We're also setting up the ability to pay on account, and looking into mobile wallet payment via smart phone apps like Square Wallet and Google Wallet. We're hoping to accept Bitcoins too.
The breakdown of a trip cost is:
Flag Fall $5
Distance Rate $2.50 per km
Booking Fee (if applicable) $2.00
You can also book a tour at $30 per half hour.
Apart from the obvious convenience of quick travel around the CBD, there are other benefits to choosing a Bike Cab. Our bikes are powered by fit and healthy riders instead of fossil fuel. They're also equipped with small electric motors to help our riders climb steep hills, and for long hauls with multiple passengers. The lithium batteries required to power these motors are recharged using green renewable energy sources. In today's world where having a small carbon footprint really matters, this carbon-neutral mode of transport helps improve the environment, and promotes a healthy, efficient alternative to cars and taxis.
The business will operate within the City of Melbourne (see map below) typically within 2-3 km's of the C.B.D.
Introducing Melbourne Bike Cabs! Pull out your phone and in seconds a cab's on its way. Pile into the back, give the rider the address and you're off, cutting up the inside bike lanes, cruising past gridlocked, frustrated traffic, watching the city roll past at street-level. You're safely at the restaurant door in a quarter of the time, for a great price, with zero carbon emissions.
Kimbra gives her Bike Cabs rider a break.
Melbourne Bike Cabs provides locals with a quick, clean and green alternative to public transport and taxis. Starting with four bike cabs, our vision is to see the streets of our beloved city teeming with a whole lot more bikes, and a whole lot less noisy, polluting traffic.
Most big cities in the world have cycle rickshaws, and it's time that the world's most liveable city - a hub of sport, good health and sustainable living - had their own. Our city is pretty much flat. We have more and more safe, dedicated bike lanes separated from the main flow of traffic. It's the perfect setting for a pedal-powered alternative taxi service.
Read on for more about Bike Cabs, how it'll work, our business model, and how it can help you out. We’d love you to get behind our campaign by pledging, by passing the word around, and by using our service once we start rolling. Your support will help launch a sustainable alternative to the taxi industry and increase the liveability of our city.
Thanks for your time, consideration and support!
The Bike Cabs team
How will the service work?
Initially Bike Cabs will be booked online, by phone or hailed in the street. The ranks will be in the north, central, south, east and west of the CBD. Bike cabs will transport everyone from inner-city office workers to shoppers to students and tourists, and might be the perfect way to cruise along our busy streets. We will begin by operating on weekdays and selected hours on the weekends. You can pay for your bike cab by cash and card.
The next step is creating a phone app for bookings, and expanding the service hours throughout the week and into the night. We're also setting up the ability to pay on account, and looking into mobile wallet payment via smart phone apps like Square Wallet and Google Wallet. We're hoping to accept Bitcoins too.
The breakdown of a trip cost is:
Flag Fall $5
Distance Rate $2.50 per km
Booking Fee (if applicable) $2.00
You can also book a tour at $30 per half hour.
Apart from the obvious convenience of quick travel around the CBD, there are other benefits to choosing a Bike Cab. Our bikes are powered by fit and healthy riders instead of fossil fuel. They're also equipped with small electric motors to help our riders climb steep hills, and for long hauls with multiple passengers. The lithium batteries required to power these motors are recharged using green renewable energy sources. In today's world where having a small carbon footprint really matters, this carbon-neutral mode of transport helps improve the environment, and promotes a healthy, efficient alternative to cars and taxis.
The business will operate within the City of Melbourne (see map below) typically within 2-3 km's of the C.B.D.
We don't just need your pledges!
We are looking for people interested in riding our bikes and/or working for us - so if you or someone you know is interested please get in touch!
Bike Cabs Safety and Compliance
Bike Cabs will have the most rigorous approach to safety and compliance. We see this as a core sustainability principle. Safety and professionalism gives confidence to everyone, but most importantly to our customers and potential customers.
Our approach will entail:
• sourcing the highest quality bikes and equipment, daily maintenance, regular professional servicing and mandatory use of seatbelts.
• employment of qualified mechanics and auto-electricians.
• comprehensive rider training including incident avoidance and management.
• pro-active incident reporting systems to enable our training and processes to improve.
• managing the behaviour of riders to ensure our high standards are consistently met.
• comprehensive public liability insurance cover.
• inclusion of first aid kits in all bikes and first aid training for all riders.
Our approach will entail:
• sourcing the highest quality bikes and equipment, daily maintenance, regular professional servicing and mandatory use of seatbelts.
• employment of qualified mechanics and auto-electricians.
• comprehensive rider training including incident avoidance and management.
• pro-active incident reporting systems to enable our training and processes to improve.
• managing the behaviour of riders to ensure our high standards are consistently met.
• comprehensive public liability insurance cover.
• inclusion of first aid kits in all bikes and first aid training for all riders.
Comparing Bike Cabs to taxis environmental impact.
If everyone used Bike Cabs for short trips, instead of taxis, we could potentially save 20 tonnes of carbon per year. This is the equivalent of planting 2000 young trees!!
(Note: this estimate uses calculations based on using 100% renewable energy to charge the batteries on the bike cabs.)
(Note: this estimate uses calculations based on using 100% renewable energy to charge the batteries on the bike cabs.)
How The Funds Will Be Used
By pledging your support, you're not just pre-paying for a Bike Cab ride, you're making SURE Melbourne gets the best taxi system pozible! Please check out our social media pages (links at bikecabs.com.au) to find out more about us.
The Challenges
Creating a viable business will require Melbourne to really get behind us. More than visitors and tourists, we need to quickly build a regular clientele of local Melburnians, and tap into the corporate sectors. We plan to build brand awareness by taking part in key festivals and sporting events, as well as spreading the good word across all forms of online, print and social media.
"ALLEY CAT RACER AWARD"
You will be able to sit in a Bike Cab and give your phone a charge, while feeling good about getting us up and running. You'll also receive a complimentary Bike Cabs sticker (click on image below) to stick on your bumper or bike.
11 chosen / 489 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"TEMPO AWARD"
By being a regular Bike Cabber, you'll set a tempo that others will follow. You will receive $30 worth of Bike Cab rides and four complimentary Bike Cabs stickers. OR For those of you not in Melbourne and not likely to come here for a long time you get a Bike Cabs trucker hat (see below).
47 chosen / 253 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"BREAK AWAY RIDER AWARD"
By getting ahead of the swarming masses your burning trail will be a testament to your devotion to Bike Cabs! You will receive $65 worth of Bike Cab rides and a handful of Bike Cab stickers. OR For those of you not in Melbourne and not likely to come here for a long time you get a Bike Cabs t-shirt (see below) available in three sizes.
42 chosen / 58 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"STRIDA-head AWARD"
Well done on showing your fantastic support for Bike Cabs and for putting yourself in the running to win a Strida folding bike. We are going to raffle off a one-of-a-kind Bike Cabs Strida at our campaign success party. Only 20 x "STRIDA-head AWARD" pledgers are eligible to WIN the bike. So the odds are in your favour!
4 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 14
"LEADER AWARD"
You are going to be a force to be reckoned with as you speed past countless people in a blur that can only be described as majestic! You (and everyone who pledges above $100) will receive an exclusive invite to the Bike Cabs 'Campaign Success' party at Pozible headquarters, after we reach our target!! OR For those of you not in Melbourne and not likely to come here for a long time you get a CLOUD limited edition Bike Cabs stainless steel bottle opener ring (see below) RRP $110.
25 chosen / 75 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"LIKER TiGr AWARD"
The amazing guys at TiGr locks have decided to support us by giving us ten of their super-dooper bullet proof locks to give to you in exchange for your pledges! We use TiGr locks and love ours! Now's your chance to get your hands on one (tigrlock.com/store/125-tigr-standard-length/). Normally these bad boys are US$200+ plus shipping from the states. Here you can get yours for almost $100 less, pay nothing for shipping and feel great about helping us get more Bike Cabs on the road!!
6 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Dec 14
"FRIENDS AWARD"
You will receive UNLIMITED rides for 3 months, for you and up to four of your friends! For a further 6 months you and your friends will be able to book rides for FREE!! You'll also have your names published on our website as an important Bike Cabs sponsor. OR For those of you not in Melbourne & not likely to come here for a while, you get to choose any number of CLOUDmelbourne.com products to the value of $500 RRP.
1 chosen / 19 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"STAGE WINNER AWARD"
You will receive UNLIMITED rides for 6 months, for you and up to nine of your friends! For a further 6 months you and your friends will be able to book rides for FREE!! You'll also have your names published on our website as an important Bike Cabs sponsor. OR For those of you not in Melbourne & not likely to come here for a while, you get to choose any number of CLOUDmelbourne.com products to the value of $1000 RRP & one of our Bike Cabs named in your honour.
7 chosen / 13 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"GOLD WINNER AWARD"
You earn advertising space on 2 bike cabs for 12 months or on 1 bike cab for 24 months. You'll also have your business name & logo published on our website & bikes as a Bike Cabs GOLD sponsor and supporter. & BONUS All your employees receive Bike Cabs ride vouchers for a 50% discount on rides and free bookings for 12 months. Set you and your colleagues apart from the rest and promote sustainable travel while we advertise YOUR business!
0 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
"CRUMPLER AWARD"
If you are a passionate individual who wants to display your enthusiasm for all things Bike Cabs then now is your chance to get your hands on one of only THREE Crumpler Limited Edition bags. These one-off beauties will have Bike Cabs badges sewn onto them and include a personalised thank you message too. This reward will not only gain you access to our campaign success party it will also allow you to get discounts on rides and Bike Cabs merchandise too.
3 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Dec 14