Today’s demanding traveller often selects destinations based on added-value services. Adept hoteliers have robustly responded to guests needs by incorporating and updating amenities regularly, with many capitalising on healthy-travel trends and their local surroundings by incorporating e-bikes into their offer.
The e-bike industry is booming. The number of cycles on the road is expected to reach some 300 million by the end of next year. Ease of use, accessibility and the go-anywhere capabilities of these modern transport marvels has cemented their popularity, and cleverly integrating them within the fabric of a hotel’s offer is becoming a staple, rather than a nice to have.
With the aftereffects of the pandemic still impacting how people move around cities and towns, large chains like Hilton have partnered with independent e-cycle hire providers to offer guests discounted access to external hire schemes. However, more commonly other businesses have sought to build their own in-house offers by purchasing fleets of e-bikes to deliver an experience tailored to their clients specific tastes.
For example, urban design hotels appealing to style-oriented customers might look to adding sleek city-oriented bikes such as the newly launched VOLT LONDON or the more classic Kensington to their service offer, providing freedom to explore the city with space to carry shopping. More rural destinations might tend to offer guests bikes capable of tackling multiple road surfaces such as electric hybrids and mountain bikes.
Beyond riding a popular trend and standing out amongst local competition there are clear benefits to incorporating e-bikes into a hotel offer; they provide increased revenue potential, have no license or insurance requirements to operate, and need minimal maintenance. Whether they are incorporated into a property’s amenities as a chargeable add-on, bringing revenue through hire and tours, or simply as a guest perk they provide a carbon footprint-reducing fun outdoor activity that can be tailored to any environment from the mountains and beaches to city roads.
Today, innovative schemes enable hospitality businesses to lease and own e-bikes in a scalable and accessible way. From around £80 per month per bike, and cancellable at short-notice throughout the agreement, businesses are able to lease bikes with the benefit of theft and damage insurance, breakdown recovery, regular services, 2 years full warranty, along with a host of other perks.
For the hospitality industry, e-bikes are more than an enticing amenity. They provide a much-needed boost to average client spend on-property and an experience that when done right, places the hotel at the core of the resident’s routine during their stay. Expect e-bike friendly hotels to feature high on the traveller wish-list soon.