223 episodes

Micromobility Industries first defined and now curates the future of urban transport that comes from new electric, small vehicles. The Micromobility Podcast was started by Oliver Bruce (Principal at Blackbird Ventures) and Horace Dediu both of whom periodically do new episodes. Ride On! is a weekly show by James Gross (CEO, Micromobility Industries/Ride Review) along with other guests that will co-host like Oliver Bruce. The focus of the show is how understanding how small electric vehicles are changing the way we move. Most interviews are with pioneers and CEOs in the Micormobility Industry

Ride On! by Micromobility Industries Oliver Bruce and Horace Dediu

    • Technology
    • 4.5 • 55 Ratings

Micromobility Industries first defined and now curates the future of urban transport that comes from new electric, small vehicles. The Micromobility Podcast was started by Oliver Bruce (Principal at Blackbird Ventures) and Horace Dediu both of whom periodically do new episodes. Ride On! is a weekly show by James Gross (CEO, Micromobility Industries/Ride Review) along with other guests that will co-host like Oliver Bruce. The focus of the show is how understanding how small electric vehicles are changing the way we move. Most interviews are with pioneers and CEOs in the Micormobility Industry

    Micromobility in Europe

    Micromobility in Europe

    Leading up to Micromobility Europe, James Gross talks the state of micromobility in Europe with Prabin Joel Jones, Founder and CEO of Mayten along with Augustin Friedel, Senior Manager, MHP – A Porsche Company.

    Topics Discussed:

    Shared and Owned Micromobility

    Prabin takes us through the Tier and Dott merger:


    Tier/Dott deal 
    Background of the deal
    What the deal is
    Challenges in merging
    Where can they go from here
    What does this mean for the industry?

    Augustin predicts continued consolidation in the shared mobility space, with potential mergers or acquisitions among companies like Bold, Lime, and Voi. Prabin critiques Bolt's strategy and their future as the next Uber.

    Augustin also spoke about the struggles of owned ebike companies and the shift towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AVs to enhance customer experience and safety.

    Software Defined Vehicles, AI and Regulation

    Augustin elaborates on Europe's position on AVs, noting a lag compared to the US and China due to a lack of investment and no existing tech giants.

    The potential for software-defined vehicles to improve user experience and safety, but recognizing Europe's fragmented approach to AVs and mobility tech.

    How government and local authorities could play a more significant role in advancing AVs and shared mobility through funding and regulatory support.

    Augustin speculates about Europe's potential to catch up in the AV space by pooling resources from major automotive players and focusing on local mobility solutions.

    Safety is discussed as a primary concern for micromobility users, with different European cities showing varying degrees of progress in creating safe infrastructure for cyclists and scooter users.

    Despite the challenges faced by shared mobility and AVs, there's optimism about the future, with emphasis on the need for innovation, better regulation, and strategic investments.

    The discussion concludes with a call for continued exploration and improvement in the mobility space, acknowledging the long journey ahead but recognizing the opportunities for impactful change.

    Trends to watch:

    - Software-Defined Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence

    - The Role of Government in mobility investments and Regulation

    - Safety and Infrastructure

    • 1 hr 11 min
    Horace Dediu: Is Apple Done With Mobility?

    Horace Dediu: Is Apple Done With Mobility?

    Apple is reportedly exiting the car industry, focusing instead on software and mobility services. The company's decision is driven by the challenges and complexities of the automotive industry, including high costs, long product cycles, and difficulty in making significant contributions. Apple's future in mobility may lie in micromobility and smart accessories for vehicles.

    🚗 Apple's decision to exit the car industry is not surprising given the challenges and complexities associated with building and selling cars. The company's strengths lie in software and user experience, which may be better applied to mobility services and smart accessories for vehicles.

    📱 The smartphone is already a powerful tool in the car, with features like Apple CarPlay allowing users to integrate their phone's apps and functions into the vehicle's infotainment system. Apple's focus on privacy and AI could enhance the smartphone's capabilities and create unique mobility experiences.

    💡 Apple's decision to pivot away from the car industry and explore opportunities in micromobility aligns with the broader trend of urbanization and the growing demand for sustainable transportation options. By focusing on smaller, more agile vehicles, Apple can address the needs of urban dwellers and contribute to the future of mobility.

    • 56 min
    The State of the Micromobility Review Market

    The State of the Micromobility Review Market

    On this episode of Ride On! we are talking with Tyson Roehrkasse, the Chief Reviewer at our sister company, Ride Review. Tyson has been with us now for around 4 months and comes from a tremendous background in electric bike reviews, with the majority of his time spent working with Electric Bike Review, the OG of the ebike review space. 



    Highlights:
    - 🚲 Reviews play a crucial role in the success of small electrical vehicles, with online reviews impacting pre-orders, investments, and revenue.
    - 🛵 The importance of local dealers and retailers in providing better customer experience and service for e-bike buyers.
    - 🌐 The rise of influencers in the scooter and one-wheel market, focusing on lifestyle and fun rather than technical attributes and formal reviews.


    We also use this episode to make some announcements around Ride AI, a platform covering all the technology that moves us. We have started with a newsletter, you can subscribe at http://rideai.org and very soon we will be launching a Ride AI podcast with Ed Neidemeyer who has tirelessly covered the AV and vehicle tech landscape for over 15 years now. Finally, as part of the new launch, we will also be announcing our Ride AI Conference in Costa Mesa, CA the week of November 11th that will also coincide with Micromobility America. 

    So big news there is 1) a new event Ride AI highlighting all the technology that moves us with our first ever event along with Micromobility America moving from the Bay Area to Southern California. 

    Why Southern California? On top of the being the largest market in the United States for small electric vehicles we also think it represents the renaissance happening in the hard tech world both as it relates to AI and mobility. SoCal is home to incredible mobility history like Hughes AirForce Base, the first west coast refineries from Rockefeller and now home to SpaceX and many startups looking to change the way we move. 

    We hope you buy tickets and join us at the event, go to Micromobility.io to learn more about it.

    • 54 min
    The History of the US Bike Business with Arnold Kamler, CEO of Kent International

    The History of the US Bike Business with Arnold Kamler, CEO of Kent International

    Arnold Kamler, CEO of Kent International, discusses the evolution of his family's three generations of the bicycle business from its inception in 1906 to the present day. The journey includes the transition from retail to wholesale, adapting to market trends like racing and mountain bikes, overcoming challenges during the financial crisis and COVID-19, manufacturing in the US, moving it to Europe, then to Chin and then back to the US all the while remaining resilient in a dynamic industry that has now gone electric.

    Timeline:


    🚴 1906: Arnold's grandfather arrives in the U.S. and opens up his first bike shop in the Lower East Side.
    🛠️ Early 1920s: The family moves the business to New Jersey.
    📈 1947: Post-WWII, Arnold's father shifts the business from retail to wholesale.
    🌎 1950s-60s: The company adapts to changing markets, beginning to import bikes from Europe and then Asia.
    🏁 1970s: Kent International experiences a boom with the popularity of racing/road bikes, starting in California.
    🚵‍♂️ 1990s: The company adapts to the mountain bike craze and faces the challenges of globalization and competition from China.
    💸 2008: The financial crisis impacts the business, leading to strategic pricing and inventory adjustments.
    🌐 2010s: Kent International focuses on e-commerce and begins exploring the electric bike market.
    📉 2020-21: The COVID-19 pandemic causes a surge and then a sudden drop in demand, impacting inventory management.
    🌿 Present Day: Kent International remains a resilient player in the bicycle industry, adapting to current market trends and consumer needs.

    Other Highlights:


    🌍 Global Expansion: Kent International's strategic shift to importing and later manufacturing in China.
    🚀 Growth: Significant growth in the 1970s, reaching new heights in the 2000s with major retail partnerships.
    🛠️ Manufacturing Innovations: Experimentation with different bike designs and materials, adapting to changing consumer preferences.
    🛍️ Retail Shifts: Adjusting strategies to cope with the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales.
    🚲 Industry Trends: Continuous adaptation to industry trends like electric bikes and changing consumer habits.

    • 1 hr 32 min
    Bird Goes Bankrupt. What Company Will Blink Next?

    Bird Goes Bankrupt. What Company Will Blink Next?

    In an emergency podcast episode of Ride On!, James Gross and guest Prabin Joel Jones discuss the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Bird, one of the high flying shared micromobility companies over the last 5 years.. They delve into the financial challenges and strategic missteps of Bird and other companies in the shared micromobility space, considering the broader implications for the industry. They then turn their attention to how you could build a shared micromobility company today and the opportunities that are now present as capital and some of the existing industry heads for the exit. 

    • 1 hr 5 min
    The Story of Upway and Their Plan to Help You Sell or Buy a Used Electric Bike

    The Story of Upway and Their Plan to Help You Sell or Buy a Used Electric Bike

    Oliver Bruce is back for this episode!

    Upway is an innovative company in the e-bike marketplace, specializing in the refurbishment and resale of electric bikes. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Paris, France, Upway has made significant strides in the e-bike industry. Toussaint Wattinne, the CEO and co-founder of Upway, along with co-founder Stéphane Ficaja, have backgrounds in leading roles at Uber Eats, bringing their expertise in tech-driven business models to the e-bike industry.

    The company is notable for refurbishing and certifying a vast array of electric bikes, offering customers a wide selection of over 400 brands. As of March 2023, Upway had refurbished and certified more than 20,000 electric bikes, showcasing its commitment to providing quality and sustainable transportation options.

    The company has successfully expanded its services beyond France, with availability in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. This expansion is a testament to the growing demand for sustainable and affordable mobility solutions. Upway's approach to e-bike sales centers around a seamless ordering and delivery process, ensuring that the bikes and their batteries are of high quality and safe for use. This business model has attracted notable investors like Sequoia Capital, Global Founders Capital, Exor Seeds, and Origins, contributing to Upway's impressive total funding of $60.6 million.

    Highlights
    🚲 Upway, a company specializing in selling refurbished electric bikes, has successfully raised over $30 million in Series B funding.
    🌍 Founded in 2021 and based in Paris, Upway has expanded to Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
    🔄 They have refurbished over 20,000 electric bikes from more than 400 brands, offering up to 35% discount compared to new bikes.
    🛠️ Upway's business model focuses on rebuilding trust in the used ebike market by refurbishing bikes to a high standard and offering a one-year warranty.
    📈 Despite initial skepticism, the market demand for used ebikes has been strong, with Upway receiving high customer satisfaction ratings.
    🤝 Upway collaborates with over 1500 retailers and ebike dealers, using trading software for customer trade-ins and managing returns for D2C manufacturers.
    📊 The business mix varies by region, with a significant portion of sourcing in Europe coming from dealers, while in the US, direct consumer purchases and manufacturer returns play a larger role.

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
55 Ratings

55 Ratings

Turtle Savior ,

Best Overview of the Industry You Can Find

This is a bigger picture podcast that talks trends, demand curves, and venture funding.

A lot of it is deep dives into specific companies and their story and vision for a specific device.

I’d like to hear more about how the US, European, and Asian regulatory frameworks do or do not get consideration in design and marketing. More about when, where, and how safety is considered - materials and electronics testing - give how challenging it is for consumers to get these devices repaired would be great to hear from the industry.

RedshiftXX ,

Future of transport

The future of transportation is a large ecosystem of small electric vehicles and the Micromobility podcast is the premier place to hear directly from the thinkers and entrepreneurs in the space.

Antique Cintiq ,

Micromobility

GREAT podcast of the ever changing early scene of the electric bike/tiny car/last mile/sharing economy. Think of the automobile scene of the early 1900s when there were hundreds of different car manufacturers and lots of different design ideas. I only wish they’d upgrade the audio quality. Oliver the host’s audio sounds like the equivalent of low res 8 bit arcade graphics, constantly breaking into bits and burps. Add to that the fact he’s a “quick, low talker” at the end of his sentences, it DRIVES ME CRAZY. It’s an audio product with consistently poor audio. 5 STARS OTHERWISE. Please invest in better recording infrastructure guys.

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