Pedal Partners
Seeking Partners
Pedal Partners is a web-based service intended to get people out of their cars and actively using cycling as transportation.
Many people would like to ride their bikes to work but feel intimidated by traffic and safety. Few people know that the Toronto Bike network is vaste and can take you to most destinations in Toronto.
For a fee, Pedal Partners would partner cycling guides with individuals wishing to cycle to work. The guides would meet the customer at the customers home or pre-determined location. They would provide a guide with bike safety tips, a cycling map with a highlighted route, a bike light with the pedal partner logo/website address. The guide would then ride the route with the customer to help them build cycling confidence. The customer could also buy a guided-return-trip.
Once a person feels confortable with their route to work they would be more inclined to leave their car at home.
After reading the comments I see the need to expand the model...
Many people have commented about the economic viability of this project and I would agree the business model needs to be expanded to reach this goal. At the same time, my gut feeling is leads me to believe that perhaps the bottom line should not be monetary. I think the environmental and health benefits surpass the financial ones.
To improve the business model I see where it would be beneficial for Pedal Partners to offer several services and expand the business model.
1. Custom eco-tourism packages could be marketed to hotels to introduce tourists to Toronto - could have a local food component
2. Guided historical bike trips for schools
3. Guided trips for first time riders.
4. Cycle safety courses in off months.
5. the website could also sell advertising space
Emissions reduction would be realized through growing commuter cycling.
One administrator, several guides.
Start up cost for this project would be used to create the website, hire an administrator, hire guides and market the service. (guides would be paid on per-trip basis - great summer employment opportunities). Profit will be used to pay the guides and future marketing. The model could also be franchised and sold to other Cities.
Comments
Not bad
This is a nice idea - it's true that many people need some support or a bit of a push to feel confident commuting by bike.
But, I agree, this seems like something that works best as a public health and education campaign, and it may be hard to find a lot of people who would pay for it. That said, there could be a niche market of people who are willing to pay
I saw a similar idea in Adelaide, South Australia a few years ago -- it was set up as a cyclists training event in which a coach would take a group of 5-6 cyclists through the City, teaching/reminding people about the rules of the road, safety habits etc, and pointing out good commuting routes etc.
- Linking with an existing funded program (e.g. Smart Commute) could help
- Connecting with businesses/offices that want to offer this as a workshop for their employees might be a good way to reach a bunch of people at once
Adding value with additional services might help. E.g. helping people set up their bikes with lights & equipment, tune up services and support over the next few months,
Cost of running it?
Sounds good, but I wonder charging fee would be able to cover the cost?
If the service cost comes from the City and do it as a city social service, It may work.
Neat Idea
I agree that when a person just moves to a city, it can be overwhelming learning the routes etc. Hence this would provide a good service. However, I agree with the above comments, not sure if someone would pay for a guide to work and back. Also how would you get repeat sales?
I do agree with Emily, taking a group of 5 or 6 once to show the city and learn the different routes might be better. Also teaming up with bike shops, i.e. package a deal on their new bike with a tour of the city, or tune up with a tour. Lastly for the repeat customer, you could create a community, where people can get together and tour different parts of the city.. or Nigara on the lake..
Good idea, hard sell
Good idea, though I would question the assertion that the principal barrier to people cycling more is a lack of experience rather than a lack of appropriate infrastructure. I think that it would be quite a hard sell to ask commuters to pay for a guide, but also that it would be a valuable service for many.
Perhaps it could be expanded to schools who want to encourage kids to cycle? A ratio of (say) two guides to six kids might be more cost-effective, and parents might be more willing to pay for it by grouping together.
Good intentions but...
More commuters on two wheels is a laudable objective but prying cold hard cash from consumers is not easy.
Have you thought of creating a web resource for cyclists? It could show the best routes, provides information about safe cycling, cycle news & reviews, etc. Make it iPhone friendly. Invite commuter posts, pix. Get the traffic and you can sell ads. Primarily from the comfort of your home. This mini business plan absolutely complementary...
If the site gains some
If the site gains some traction you may be able to try and sell the guide service!
will be hard
As mentioned by most here, it will be hard to get people to pay for this service.
a new sale each time
There may be something in this idea - I see several challenges and one of them is that you do not generate an"annuity type revenue stream" and perhaps there will be enough new demand at the beggining and for several years that there will be enough volume, but that is not a sustainable model in the long run.
The questions you are asking yourself may include -- where can I get a renewable revenue stream - what would I have to offer to a cyclist - as a cyclist what would I be prepared to pay and or do to ensure that my bike to work is a safe one (note that I bike to work and some days wonder how I got to work safely). Would a group commute make it safer? Would I pay a club fee per month or quarter? Can I get a 10% discount at a cycle store - a pick up of my bike at work and then delivered back at the end of the day serviced, can you deliver an online traiming course and an exam that demonstartes my commitment to safety...
I wish I could afford a guide
I love the idea but have a hard time thinking people will be able to afford it, we want people out of their cars and on their bikes every day (well not in the snow), paying for a guide/partner on a regular basis would be tricky!
Perhaps after guiding you could offer education for pedal safety and set up a network of pedal people travelling in the same direction, same time and form groups?
Nice idea, but I have doubts
How would you generate revenue in the long winter months? In this econimic climate I feel it would be difficult to find prople to pay for this service, and I cannot see the long term revenue generating potential.
Perhaps corporate sponsorchip on web site? Participation in community events to elevate your profile?
Demonstrate the business case!
This is a fantastic idea. My daughter was very nervous about biking, and clearly I wasn't convincing (despite being a daily bike comuter) so I hired an instructor for her. He did all the safety stuff, some defensive driving, and then mapped out a route to school and they rode it a few times. Voila!
But forget about all the lovely, eco-stuff...follow the money! Not taking transit saves money. Not using car saves piles of money. Having daily exercise (and maybe not needing a gym) could be anotehr saving.
Market research and focus testing! Have you segmented the market, and actually talked to them? Walk people through the finances, and then figure out what they'd pay.
Capacity needs to be defined. How many instructors per client...this will give a perspective on the business case.
Financial Strategy: Bootstrapping and your Lead Customers
Please read below.
I’m excited to see so many entrepreneurial proposals on ClimateSpark. I especially like the model of social ventures that can sustain themselves by creating their own revenue and be less dependent on grants or gifts.
In my own experience starting and building several companies, I’ve often employed “bootstrapping” techniques so I’m not dependent on external capital (VCs, etc.). One technique I’ve used successfully is to recruit one or more “lead customers” who pay me up-front for a service (e.g., consulting or something they need right away), which gives me the capital to build my product or capability for them. The big advantages: cash up-front (or early); a real customer to help make sure my design is something they’ll want to buy; and a great partner to test ideas with as I’m getting off the ground.
What’s your bootstrapping strategy? Have you tried to develop “lead customers” for your product or service? Have you talked to potential customers ? What are you doing to get cashflow from them early, so your idea can gain traction?
Clearly expressing your business value – Mock Press Release
Each proposal in ClimateSpark is bringing a valuable community based idea forward to help with energy conservation and the reduction of carbon emissions
Centennial College, School of Communications Media & Design, Corporate Communications and Public Relations Class of 2012 will be working on a set of mock press releases, in anticipation of this proposal being one of the 20 to be selected on October 31 to continue to ClimateSpark Ignite Phase 2.
If you would like to be interviewed as part of the mock press release development process, please send a note to Professor Barry Waite, [email protected] by Friday October 21, 2011.
If you choose not to be interviewed, the mock press release will be developed based on Information currently posted in the description of your idea, as well as information gleaned from the various comment interactions.
Cute but unlikely
I'm a cyclist in the city and I have to say that the number one thing people say to me when they realize I cycle is more inconvenience and laziness than safety. (We're a strange lot, Torontonians.) And paying for it? Troublesome.
Cycling INFRASTRUCTURE in the city needs massive improvement on a whole, bike lanes are being reduced and initiatives such as bike boxes are targeted towards student populations to get them to campus, instead of getting people into the downtown core. I like the idea of this as an ambassador program to encourage cycling, but I don't think people will pay.
I think this could be improved by working with community and cycling organizers already in existence. Toronto Cyclists Union for example, to see what their recommendations are for the project.
Retooling
There is merit in the idea, but the quest: is your project sustainable as many reviewers have expressed concern.
Maybe you need to retool your approach such as organizing Toronto bike tour, Toronto bike racing, Toronto bike picnics with bike tuning and maintenance demo, etc. Build some social and cultural life around bikes. They may be willing to pay attendance fees.
love the idea
Most people in an urban setting have access to a bike but dont use it for commuting. All the research points to fear as a barrier for would-be cyclists (and there is a large number of them). Infrastructure (bike lanes, bike boulevards, etc.) is a major factor but cycling in numbers is another way of increasing visibility and safety. This proposal does that.
I would concentrate on commuters (carbon off-sets). Chose an area with some safe routes (lanes, paths). I know of one where the number of users drops as the distance approaches 4 Km from downtown - big potential.
It would require some basic level of training for the guides.
Ideally
I think of the Active and Safe Routes to School program as a potential model. Perhaps guides could volunteer (it is social, shared passion and improved safety for them too). Set a regular start point and destination. Advertise the site near the start point (flyer at stop lights?)
Partner with a health centre and/or d.i.y bike repair maybe?
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cute but will people pay?
I think this is a lovely idea, but unsure as to the viability of people actually paying for such a service.
Perhaps if it was fully funded and could be offered for free, that avenue might be more likely to take off