What is Pony?
Pony is not just a bike or scooter rental service—it’s a movement aimed at unchaining urban mobility. With the motto “Adopt a pony” and “TAKE THE REINS,” the project provides high-end electric bikes and scooters available for rent directly from your phone. No docking. No hassle. No limits. It transforms everyday travel with a simple three-step process: download the Pony app, create an account, and find the nearest pony. Life’s too short… and riding should be as easy as scanning a QR code. Located in cities like Angers, Beauvais, Brussels, Caen, Charleroi, Evry, Liège, Limoges, Lorient, LRSY, Nantes, Nice, Olivet, Orleans, Pays Basque, Perpignan, Poitiers, Sete, and Turin, Pony is reshaping free urban mobility with shared e-bikes and e-scooters designed for a sustainable future.
Main Benefits
Pony offers numerous advantages for urban commuters, combining a user-friendly experience with environmental and innovative benefits. Key figures and facts include:
- No docking required—ride anywhere without the burden of fixed stations.
- Effortless start-up: Scan a QR code to unlock your ride with no subscription needed.
- Hundreds of parking spots to secure the bikes and scooters in designated boxes.
- A robust fleet: The mechanical bike, known as “THE WOLF,” is designed for durability and low maintenance.
- An original business model where vehicles belong to individuals and are made available for rental, putting residents at the heart of ecological urban mobility.
How to Get Started
The process is refreshingly simple and conversational: start by downloading the Pony app and creating an account. Next, locate the nearest available vehicle in the app—a process that feels almost instantaneous. Once the ride is selected, simply scan the QR code on the vehicle to start the journey. No subscriptions. Just a seamless, on-demand ride. The app also reveals a network of hundreds of designated parking spots, allowing users to park conveniently in a box when their journey is complete. It’s a process designed to keep urban travel flexible and efficient… from you to your destination in a few effortless steps.
Unique Innovations
Pony introduces innovation at every level. “THE WOLF,” a mechanically robust bike designed specifically for shared use, stands out with its proven ability to handle urban challenges and reduce maintenance needs. The promise of Pony is echoed in every ride—a commitment to reliability and service excellence. Every stage of the value chain, from app development to the design of the bikes and scooters, urban logistics management, and maintenance, is controlled in-house. This results in a consistently impressive level of quality and user satisfaction that differentiates the Pony experience from traditional rental models.
Sustainable Business Model
The ecological backbone of Pony is as compelling as its technological offers. The business model is uniquely decentralized and circular. The scooters and bikes featured in the Pony app belong to individuals who make them available for rental, creating a community-driven approach to the ecological transition for urban mobility. Moreover, Pony works hand in hand with local authorities to ensure that the service is seamlessly integrated into public spaces and the local fabric. The vehicles run on electricity produced from renewable energy sources—solar, hydraulic, or wind power—and the design emphasizes durability, with batteries featuring a ten-year lifespan that are repairable and reused at the end of their life. Ecological logistics are maintained using a 100% electric fleet, including small utility vehicles and electric cargo bikes, further reinforcing Pony’s commitment to sustainability.
Collaborations and Quality
Pony’s collaborative spirit is evident in partnerships that support both innovation and sustainability. Collaborations with Gouach for design and VOLTR for battery reuse showcase a full-cycle approach to product lifecycle management. The vehicles themselves are crafted with high-end design elements and high-quality materials, with peripheral parts coming from carefully selected suppliers. Such meticulous attention to detail ensures that every ride is safe and enjoyable. As the urban landscape continues to change, Pony remains in tune with its users’ needs, operating with impeccable maintenance standards and rigorous quality checks to guarantee safety on every trip.
Project Impact
- Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Vision for the Future
In a world filled with bus stops, traffic jams, and empty docks, Pony invites urban dwellers to experience something different. The philosophy is simple: not just getting around, but changing the way the world goes round. Motivated by the idea that life is too short to be stuck in conventional travel routines, Pony is creating a movement—a liberation from the mundane. As evidenced by figures like Xavier Niel, CEO at Free, Pony is poised to become the French champion in bike and scooter rentals that offer free service to everyone. This dynamic approach, blending high-end design, sustainability, and community-driven innovation, sets the stage for a future where urban mobility is as flexible and engaging as its users. The vision is clear: take the reins, embrace the freedom of movement, and join a transformational journey toward a greener, more connected urban lifestyle.
