Blike

Blike: monthly subscription for premium e-bikes in the UK

Blike is an electric bike subscription service operating in the UK under the company Green Switch Limited, trading as Blike. Its proposition focuses on giving access to premium e-bikes through a flexible monthly fee, instead of buying outright or renting by the minute. The company presents itself as a cheaper alternative to London public transport and pay-as-you-go rental schemes, and claims it can save over £1,500 a year compared to a Zone 1-3 Travelcard, or over £600 a year compared to daily rental.

Subscription model and conditions

The service works with a monthly subscription that, according to published information, starts at £82 a month, equivalent to around £2.70 a day. The subscription has a minimum term of three months, after which the user can swap models, return the bike or buy it outright. The company markets the plan as "subscribe to own": the fee includes insurance, maintenance and theft recovery. The site indicated that the subscription was free during a launch promotion, with the possibility of subscribing at no membership cost at that time.

Electric bike catalogue

Blike works with brands such as Cowboy, Brompton, Tenways, Estarli and Volt, and organises its range around folding commuter bikes, family cargo bikes and cruiser models. The catalogue shows specific examples with their features and monthly fees:

• Volt Pulse: relaxed model, up to 96 km range and 24.7 kg weight, designed for comfortable use on roads and light paths. £110 per month for new units and £97 per month in the ReCycle option.
• Brompton Electric C Line 4-speed: lightweight folding bike at 16.6 kg and 30 to 70 km range, aimed at urban mobility. £133 per month for new and £116 per month in ReCycle.
• Cowboy Cruiser: upright model, up to 70 km range and 18.9 kg, with a raised riding position. £126 per month for new and £109 per month in ReCycle.

In addition to new units, the company offers the ReCycles line, made up of bikes refurbished by experts, with lower monthly prices.

Insurance, maintenance and theft recovery

Each bike includes a GPS tracker and a recovery team that, according to the company, operates 24 hours a day to locate stolen bikes. If the unit cannot be recovered, the associated insurance replaces it. The subscription also covers maintenance and repairs through a national service network involving Fettle and local bike shops, with coverage from Aberdeen to Plymouth. The company describes this network as a guarantee that the user is never far from a Blike-approved mechanic, both for regular services and emergency repairs.

Delivery and coverage

Blike offers shipping and support across the UK. The subscription approval process, according to the site, takes less than two minutes, and delivery is available nationwide. The company also mentions the possibility of trying the bike before subscribing through the Test Ride option.

Corporate structure and financial regulation

Blike operates as a trading name of Green Switch Limited, a company registered with number 13071306 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with number 946861. Financing is channelled through Blike Finance Limited, company number 13838684, which acts as an appointed representative of Green Switch Limited and is also authorised and regulated by the FCA with number 970242. This structure appears in the legal information published by the company.

Business services and customer support

In addition to the individual plan, Blike has a specific line for businesses (Business). The company publishes support sections on orders, delivery, maintenance and service, cancellation and returns, and warranty, as well as an FAQ section and a blog. It also has a phone contact channel and a customer service email, and offers a partner programme (Our Partners).