OUR MODEL

  • 1. Core Idea

    A fleet of shared bicycles is created by repurposing and upgrading discarded or abandoned bicycles from urban areas. By refurbishing these bicycles, they are given a second life as part of a local rental fleet. The focus is on:

    • Reducing resource waste.

    • Extending the lifecycle of bicycles.

    • Providing a sustainable and climate-friendly alternative to newly manufactured shared bikes.

  • 2. Process and Key Elements

    1. Collection of Bicycles
      Collaborations with local authorities, scrapyards, and organizations help gather unwanted or abandoned bicycles from cities.

    2. Refurbishment and Reuse

      • The frames, wheels, and other components of the bicycles are repaired to ensure durability.

      • Unnecessary or complex parts (like external gears) are removed to reduce maintenance requirements.

      • Standardized parts are used to simplify repairs and replacements.

    3. Local Integration

      • The fleet is tailored to local needs and operates from central locations, such as Hveensgade or Klostertorv in Aarhus.

      • The bicycles are made available to both tourists and residents as an affordable and convenient transport solution.

    4. Operation and Maintenance

      • Regular inspections (e.g., performed by Daniel in RefurbishBike) ensure that the bicycles are always in excellent condition.

      • Local partnerships create job opportunities and contribute to socio-economic development by involving vulnerable groups in refurbishment and maintenance tasks. refrain from selling pre-owned bicycles in line with our commitment to the Refurbishbike circular concept, where sustainability takes center stage. Instead, we focus on maintaining and servicing our bikes to extend their lifespan on the road. By upcycling each bike within the program, we estimate a remarkable reduction of up to a 250 kg in carbon footprint per unit, contributing to a greener and more eco-friendly future.

  • 4. Scalability and Partnerships

    This model can be adapted and scaled in various cities or regions depending on available resources and local needs. By collaborating with municipalities, NGOs, businesses, and organizations like the Cycling Embassy, the concept can be expanded and customized for different locations.

    By applying the RefurbishBike model to bike-sharing, this circular solution is not only environmentally friendly but also economically and socially sustainable.

  • ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and it refers to a set of criteria or factors that investors and organizations consider when assessing the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment, business, or project. These three components are often used to evaluate the non-financial performance and behavior of companies. Here's a brief overview of each element:

    Environmental (E):

    This aspect focuses on a company's environmental impact and sustainability practices. It considers how a company manages its use of natural resources, its carbon emissions, waste management, and its overall commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. ESG investors and stakeholders are interested in businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility and have strategies to address climate change and other environmental challenges.

    Social (S):

    The social component of ESG assesses how a company interacts with and impacts society and its stakeholders. It looks at factors such as labor practices, employee diversity and inclusion, community engagement, human rights, supply chain management, and product safety. Companies that prioritize social responsibility are often seen as more attractive to investors and consumers.

    Governance (G):

    Governance refers to the systems and structures that govern a company's behavior and decision-making processes. It examines issues such as board composition, executive compensation, transparency, shareholder rights, and corporate ethics. Strong corporate governance is essential for building trust with investors and ensuring that a company operates ethically and efficiently.

    RefurbishBike has conducted an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of their product-service system, evaluating the environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of the bike. The LCA includes stages such as the collection of used bikes, refurbishment, rental, service during use, and disposal. The results show that refurbishment has the highest impact on climate change, while transport and disposal contribute to a lesser degree. The model emphasizes the circular value of reusing abandoned bikes, as this helps avoid further pressure on an already saturated market for new bikes, making the business model economically sustainable in the long run.

  • Est. 2021 - RefurbishBike ApS

    Our Journey Towards Sustainability and Collaboration

    Welcome to Our Sustainability and Collaboration Journey

    April 2021: The Beginning at Schriver Cykler

    In April 2021, RefurbishBike embarked on a remarkable journey, with our first 50 customers leading the way. We were on a mission to transform the world of biking.

    October 2021: Pioneering OPP Collaboration with the Municipality of Aarhus.

    In October 2021, we took our first steps in a groundbreaking Public-Private Partnership (PPP) collaboration with Aarhus Municipality and the Green Investment Pool. Together, we set the stage for innovative sustainability initiatives.

    April 2022: A Transformative Agreement

    In April 2022, we solidified our commitment to sustainable practices with an agreement with DTD. This marked the beginning of a promising collaboration with NoRTHSIDE and Tinderbox, shaping the future of biking for the summer.

    May 2022: Aarhus SDU Conference

    In May 2022, we participated in the SDU conference in Aarhus, advocating for the use of bicycles in urban environments. We were honored to be part of the event as enthusiastic supporters of sustainable transportation.

    June 2022: Riding High with Syddjurs Municipality

    June 2022 saw the start of a fruitful collaboration with Syddjurs Municipality. Together, we launched "Mountain Bikes in Mols Mountains," combining fleet management and payment solutions into one seamless unit.

    August 2022: Ocean Race 2023 Partnership

    In August 2022, we proudly entered into an agreement with Ocean Race 2023, becoming a key supplier for the Aarhus Stopover. Our commitment to sustainability was recognized and rewarded.

    December 2022: Expanding Circular Efforts and LCA.

    As the year drew to a close, we expanded our circular efforts. Our initiatives now included the recycling of bicycle sheets, tires, frames, wheels, and more across various industries, furthering our commitment to sustainability.

    January 2023: Joining Wonderful Copenhagen HIT program

    In January 2023, we achieved another milestone by being selected for the Wonderful Copenhagen HUB for innovation in Urban Tourism (HIT) accelerator program. We were excited to drive innovation in urban tourism.

    2023 - Year of Agreements

    2023 marked a year of agreements, as we joined forces with NoRTHSIDE, World Cup Match Race2023, Ocean Race teams, Official Supplier Stop Over Ocean Race, Blue Water Shipping, and STARK GentræSuperwood, Vestjyske Bank, STORMS Pakhus, FORTUM, OK Amba, SCANDIC Hotels expanding our reach and sustainable influencer.

    August 2023: Speaker at the Tampere ,FIN. Sustainable Tourisme project within the EU of Tourisme

    September 2023 we joined the Tech Lab Nordic Tourism

    January 2024: Cooperation with Studenter lauget, Aarhus

    BSS Aarhus cooperation within the International

    UNITY. Living cooperation Aarhus

    February 2024:
    Full member of the Cycling Embassy Denmark

    August 2024;

    Winner of the “Greve Municipality” award, Det Lilla Spor, a last-mile transportation concept developed by the RefurbishBike fleet. Four private companies in Kildebrønde have signed up to provide employees with sustainable transport between public transit hubs and their company headquarters. The fleet is managed under the innovative LINKA lock system, marking Europe’s first public last-mile concept utilizing recycled bicycles.

    2024

    TAMPERE Finland, DRØF Denmark, THY National park, Greve Municipality, UNITY, Skjoldnæshøj Kollegie, Kirkens Korshær, Social Economic Workforce

    2025

    2025

    Winner of Holbæk - bikesharing concept under RefurbishBike and LINKA

    Copenhagen Bike Show - March 1-2.2025 in CPH.