Travellers, executives and tourists alike, who want to keep cycling when interstate have driven vehicle rental company Europcar’s expansion into bicycle hire, through a new partnership with Livelo.
The company’s Australian base has experienced a surge in demand by executives and tourists alike who want access to bikes to maintain their cycling passion and explore new destinations – and not just any bikes.
Europcar Australia Managing Director Ron Santiago said both corporate and leisure travellers were demanding top-of-the-range bikes that they might usually ride as part of their normal routine.
“This partnership allows Europcar to offer its customers who long for the mobility of a bike while travelling, a high performance road bike through Livelo’s convenient concierge system,” he said.
“It complements our bike carrier fleet perfectly, which is expanding constantly to keep up with demand from cycling fans across Australia.”
The Colnago road bikes by Livelo Performance Bike Rental will be available in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and can be booked directly through Europcar in partnership with Livelo.
Livelo then delivers the bike to the customer’s hotel and picks it up when they are finished.
Each bike is adjusted to suit the cyclist’s stature, flexibility and fitness levels, with rental including accessories such as a high quality helmet, pedals, bottles and a GPS device.
Livelo founder and Managing Director Peter Barnes said the service was also a great way to experience a high performance bike prior to purchasing.
“We are very excited to be partnering with Europcar to extend the flexibility cycling offers to travellers, both corporate and leisure. This is a strong emerging market that is getting bigger every year,” Mr Barnes said
Responding to Australia’s growing cycling culture, last month Europcar added 40 new Renault Koleos vehicles to its bike carrier fleet.
The Renault vehicles, packed with features, are fitted with Thule ProRide bike carriers to allow for the secure carrying of two bikes.
Mr Santiago said cycling was driving considerable business growth and, as a result, Europcar was constantly expanding its services to shape the future of mobility.
“Europcar aims to service the mobility needs of our customers by offering diversified solutions that provide them with more freedom,” he said.
“We recognise Australia’s cycling culture will continue to grow and are investing in transport solutions that will allow locals, as well as travellers, to access their preferred method of transport.”
Since introducing the bike carriers last year, thousands of people have hired one of the vehicles, with Europcar redistributing stock frantically at the start of the year due to immense demand at Adelaide’s Tour Down Under cycling event.
As part of the company’s support of cycling, which includes sponsorship of the cycle safety organisation Amy Gillett Foundation, last month Europcar sponsored the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Tour de France lunch on 24 July.
For the fourth year running, Europcar donated funds from a silent action on the day to the Amy Gillett Foundation.
The premier networking event took place during the ultimate climbing stage of the Tour in the Alps, two days before the arrivals on the Champs Elysées in Paris, celebrating all things cycling among friends within the business community.
For more information on Livelo bike hire and premium concierge service, visit europcar.com.au/livelo.