Dott is widely recognized for its electric scooter offerings, currently serving several European cities. The company is expanding its focus to include electric bicycles and intends to introduce a bike-sharing program in both London and Paris beginning in March 2021.

Currently, Dott does not have a presence in London, making this launch potentially its 16th operational city.

The bicycle itself was developed by Dott’s team and will be manufactured in Portugal. Its construction features a vibrant frame crafted from a single aluminum piece, eliminating the need for welding. Furthermore, the bikes are equipped with tires designed to resist punctures, utilizing foam inserts for added durability.

As illustrated in the accompanying image, the bike’s chain is concealed within the frame’s design. Dott will be able to exchange the battery without requiring the complete bike to be transported to a charging facility. An integrated geolocation system is also incorporated into the bike.

According to Maxim Romain, co-founder and COO, in a company statement, “This bicycle, produced in Europe, aligns with our core objective: to provide accessible transportation for everyone. Our combined service – encompassing both e-bikes and e-scooters – will maintain the same high standards of operational quality, including swappable batteries, secure charging practices, professional maintenance, and consistent repair and recycling procedures.”

Dott will be a competitor to Lime, which obtained Jump in May as part of an agreement with Uber. Bolt is also currently providing bike-sharing services in select cities.

Additionally, Dott will contend with existing pay-per-use, docked bike rental systems, like Santander Cycles in London and Vélib’ in Paris. Vélib’, specifically, boasts a substantial subscriber base of 400,000 in Paris alone. Given that it is a government-supported service, competing on cost will present a significant challenge.