FAQ

• Why did FreMo decide to launch the bike-sharing programme?
  
  At a time when global warming is reaching dizzying heights and ecology is impacted by high level of air pollution coupled with terrible traffic snarls, if people take up to riding bicycle for their shorter distances, all these aspects would be benefitted. Besides such a system will also help people travel at a very economical cost and improve their own health, because cycling is a healthy exercise.
  
  FreMo strongly believes that most people want to ride bicycle. The only way to use a bicycle is to buy it. But the hassles of maintaining it are discouraging them from buying the bicycle. Besides, if you own a bicycle, you can use it only for travels where you will come back home because, parking it on the road has risk of being stolen and will also make the cycle dusty. For the daily travel to office, if you own a bicycle you cannot use it for your first mile of travel (i.e. your home to station or bus stop), because you cannot leave the bicycle on the road parked in a corner for the whole day. Moreover, the friendly-neighbourhood cycle mechanics is a vanishing breed and even if there is a puncture on the cycle, it is difficult to find someone to fix it.
  
  With all these hassles, we are sure, if people are provided with the convenience of picking up a cycle from one location and dropping it in another, people would use a bicycle as their mode of transport. Once we have enough cyclists on the road, we believe that the Government will provide dedicated bicycle lanes for their use. An international study indicates that the more the number of cyclists on the road, the less the number of all kinds of accidents
  
  
• Isn’t riding a bicycle risky considering the traffic chaos in these days?
  
  It is a myth that people believe riding a bicycle is risky. When did you last hear anyone meeting with a fatal accident while riding a bicycle? When did you hear a motorcyclist meeting with a fatal accident? The answer for the first question will be a blank look while you know the answer for the second question – in today’s newspaper. Yet, we subconsciously believe riding bicycle is riskier than riding motorbike. The fact is that bicycle speed is much less and, therefore, it is much under the control of the rider as compared to a motorbike
  
  
• How will FreMo help the member overcome the fear of accident?
  
  Besides educating the members, we are providing free personal accident insurance cover to each of the member.
  
  
• What is the amount of personal accident insurance cover?
  
  Each member is given a free personal accident insurance of Rs. 5 lakhs, in case of death of the member due to accident while riding a FreMo bicycle.
  
  
• How are FreMo depot locations determined?
  
  FreMo depots are determined according to several parameters, such as population density, the presence of points of interest (colleges, railway stations, bus stops) and patterns of population movement.
  
  
• Do I have to become a member to borrow a cycle?
  
  Yes, you must be a member to use the system.
  
  
• How do I become a member?
  
  You need to subscribe for the membership and the membership is FREE. You also need to submit certain documents for identification and address proof.
  
  
• When will I be able to start using one of the cycles?
  
  The system is expected to be up and running January 2010. Exact date will be shortly announced.
  
  
• Is there a maximum time a cycle can be borrowed?
  
  For each use, there is no maximum time you can borrow a cycle, provided you have a valid membership. However, FreMo is created to be a means of transport, so its usage structure is intended to encourage short trips. The greater the length of time the user keeps the bike, the lesser advantageous for the members in the system.
  
  
• Can I rent a cycle for a week end trips or for exercise?
  
  Yes. Once you are a member, you can rent cycles for their week end trips or for exercise.
  
  
• Is it mandatory to wear a bike helmet?
  
  The law that currently exists does not require the wearing of a helmet when riding a bike. However, it is the only sure means of protection against head injuries which can lead to death or other serious head wounds. We strongly recommend that you always wear a helmet.