Hopping and Donkeying Your Way Around!

Translation: Þórhildur Elínardóttir Magnúsdóttir

Seeing grown adults on electric scooters is something that people in the capital area should get used to. Those who have been on campus lately have no doubt noticed all kinds of people gliding around on these scooters, whether they’re stressed-out freshmen or distinguished professors. Since September, students on campus have had two new modes of transport on offer, from electric scooter-sharing company Hopp and bicycle-sharing company Donkey Republic. Based on the popularity of these services, it is likely that there will be competition in the market before long. 

Bicycle-sharing should be known to many, as Donkey Republic is not the first company of its kind in Iceland. Donkey Republic, which originated in Copenhagen, has bikes for rent in many foreign cities. In Iceland, the company Framúrskarandi handles the bike-sharing setup.

Hopp is the first electric scooter-sharing company in Iceland. Those who have travelled to cites abroad lately have perhaps utilized a similar service, as this is becoming a popular mode of transport for shorter trips. Electric scooters are gaining popularity in this country, and they’re flying off the shelves in stores.

Pick up the smartphone

To rent a bike or electric scooter, the first step is to download an app on your phone. Hopp and Donkey Republic both have eponymous apps which are available on both Android and Apple phones. On the apps, you can see where the nearest bike or scooter is located.

With Donkey Republic, you can buy a yearly or monthly subscription, or you can just pay for a single ride. The payment is processed after the ride is over, and the rate gets proportionally cheaper the further you travel. As an example, a ride that takes half an hour costs 300 krónur, but a ride that takes around two hours costs 600 krónur. It costs 100 krónur to unlock a Hopp scooter, and each minute costs 30 krónur. Both companies require extra payment if the rental is left outside the service area. In both cases, the service area is downtown Reykjavík, and you can get a more precise view in the apps.

Hopefully, most people are familiar with bikes and bicycle protocol, but a majority of people are probably not used to scooters. Therefore, it should be noted that the electric scooter is only allowed on bike paths or walkways. Each scooter is only meant for one person. They manage slopes pretty well and can reach 25 kilometers per hour.

At the end of the ride, the bikes needs to be returned to one of the 40 bike stations that can be seen on the app. Those who rent electric scooters are asked to park them near bike stands if possible, but otherwise are reminded not to park them in front of entrances, on pathways, or on ramps. The ride ends by taking a picture of the scooter to ensure that it has been properly parked.

No matter which of the two modes of transport people choose, everyone is of course encouraged to use a helmet!

Green life crisis

The sharing economy, a system where people take turns using things or share them, is on the rise. Companies such as Donkey Republic and Hopp fall under the sharing economy, and it is likely that companies such as these are here to stay. It seems to suit people well to be able to go on short trips without driving, and it is also convenient to be able to leave the mode of transport at the destination. The pros of this kind of service are many, and not only are electric scooters and bikes environmentally friendly options, but they can often be more convenient to use than cars. In closing, here is a list of the advantages of choosing shared bikes and electric scooters:

No trouble finding a parking spot.

A fun mode of transport.

No emissions.

Time outdoors.

No traffic.

Exercise.

Donkey Republic offers students a 20% discount with the code: hihjolar1