Uber is bringing Jump’s electric bikes to Europe shortly following the acquisition of the American startup, Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi announced earlier this week. While speaking at Berlin-based NOAH conference on Wednesday, the official said Jump’s offerings will first be launching in the German city this summer. Mr. Khosrowshahi also spoke of Uber’s more general efforts to expand its presence on the Old Continent in a peaceful manner, unlike how it operated under the former leadership of Travis Kalanick who was ousted from the firm a year ago.
The European expansion of Uber‘s secondary services marks the next step in the company’s long-term strategy that’s meant to encompass much more than just a ride-hailing car network. The San Francisco, California-based startup sees electric bikes as a significant threat to any kind of taxi services in the near future, primarily in urban areas where such method of transportation can be much cheaper and faster than hailing a ride. It’s for that reason that Uber reportedly parted with over $100 million — with later rumors putting that figure closer to $200 million — to acquire Jump and why it’s now trying to hijack Lyft’s Motivate deal which would provide its largest rival with an even larger stake in the stateside electric bike rental market. Uber already passed up the opportunity to acquire Motivate earlier this year and Jump discussed a potential merger with the firm before being acquired itself, indicating the latest development is an entirely defensive move on Uber’s part.
Bike’s rental platform will be coming to other European cities following its Berlin debut but Uber has yet to share more details about its plans. The Uber Green service meant to promote environment-friendly transportation will also be coming to more locations on the continent, having just recently started being offered in Munich. Uber is expected to file for an initial public offering in 2019 but is also likely to go through at least one more fundraising round in the meantime.