Spin launched a weekly ebike rental program in the District

Spin is targeting local restaurants with its new weekly ebike rental initiative.

The District could see 25 to 30% independently owned restaurants in the area shutter because of the lack of revenue and shutdowns throughout the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

With its new initiative, the San Francisco-based dockless escooter and bike-sharing company owned by Ford wants to help restaurants provide another delivery option for their workers.

“With many local DC restaurants struggling to adjust to the ‘new normal,’ using e-bikes for delivery could expand options for business owners, particularly those that don’t have the ability to offer outdoor seasonal seating,” said Gabe Klein, former director of transportation at the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in a statement. “Delivery without significant fees charged by [third] parties could be the difference between making it, and not. I’m excited to see how micromobility, especially e-bikes, can unlock access to new opportunities for our local D.C. businesses.”

Since these are personal rentals and not a shared fleet, Spin did not need to get a separate operating agreement from DDOT, though it did get the department’s permission, the mobility company said. Spin was granted an escooter permit for 2020 as part of DDOT’s dockless vehicle sharing program.

Starting at $39 a week, bikers will gain access to an ebike, charger, lock and cable, an insulated bag to keep food fresh on the go and a helmet that’s free for riders to keep. Spin is offering a flexible week-to-week plan with the option to purchase ebikes at a discounted rate if you participate in the program. The rent-to-own option allows bikers to buy an ebike for $500 after renting one through the program for at least six weeks. Spin reports that each ebike is usually valued at $2,000.

Interested riders can reserve an ebike through Spin’s website or mobile app. Though the company is targeting restaurant workers, other consumers can also sign up for a rental.

The weekly ebike rentals are only offered in D.C. Spin plans to expand the offering to more markets in the future.

The mobility company also recently expanded its Everyday Heroes program to D.C. The initiative provides free 30-minute rides to healthcare and other essential workers in its markets.

Since launching our Everyday Heroes program, over 25,000 miles were traveled with Spin. Riders took essential trips to work, grocery stores, hospitals, and more. Today, we’re proud to expand our program to more essential workers in DC and Detroit: https://t.co/oNoPurcAkA pic.twitter.com/BRmmkxrEAO

— Spin (@ridespin) July 22, 2020