Olivier Le Bouille’s aim, when he set up the Bike and See company, was to combine protection of the environment with the fun of exploring a city, in this case Lyon. The company opened for business in May, and is located right in the city centre at Place Antonin Poncet. Its main activity consists of renting out electric as well as traditional bikes. It has a fleet of 30 two-wheelers, including 20 electrically-assisted bikes 13 of which are made by German company Kalkhoff. According to Olivier Le Bouille, they are the only ones capable of getting up the slopes which lead to Fourvière and La Croix-Rousse.
Former marketing director of an American multinational company in the signage industry, the entrepreneur is initially concentrating on the business tourism market as he is convinced that in the era of sustainable development, there is a demand for city tours that produce zero-emissions. “In my previous job I once took clients out on a tour of Lyon using the Velo’v bikes and they were all delighted with such an unusual concept,”, explains the boss of Bike and See. “It was that experience which led to me setting up my own company, and if it’s successful there’s no reason why the idea couldn’t be transferred to other cities”.
In order to make it happen, he decided to take part in the first edition of “Rencontres de l’Evénement en Rhône-Alpes”, organised by Rencontres Pro and Rhône-Alpes Tourisme on 3 and 4 June in Lyon. As part of the operation, he also invited a dozen Paris-based agency directors attending the show to test out his product on 5 June.
“We wanted to offer a completely different way to explore Lyon. It fits perfectly with the growing trend for alternative, eco-friendly urban methods of getting around. We offer two options: one is a guided tour, with a guide supported by a second escort for groups of up to 20, the other is an independent tour which includes rental of both bike and an iPhone operating as a multimedia GPS guide”.
Bike and See has created four routes based on certain areas of the city: the banks of the river Rhône, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Fourvière and a route out to Saint-Just and Saint-Irénée. There are another two in the pipeline, covering La Croix-Rousse and overlooking the river Saône. In order to make the routes as pleasant as possible, they largely follow cycle routes and little streets so as to avoid excessive traffic.
Bike and See is recommended by Lyon’s Tourist Office and can call on five multi-lingual guides to escort groups. Olivier Le Bouille confirms that this is the first concept of its kind combining electric bikes with pre-loaded multimedia guiding systems. The agency rents out cycle helmets, organises quizzes related to each itinerary, delivers the bikes to hotels or meeting venues and can also decorate the bikes in company colours if required. A half day’s bike rental, including pre-loaded multimedia guiding and welcome message, works out at 69 € per participant for companies. Other options include the hire of a high frequency audioguide, decoration of bikes, iPhone quizz apps and delivery of bikes to wherever the event is being held.
Bike and See, in Lyon (RhĂ´ne)
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 72 41 84 80
