Curve Electric E-bikes by Yameen & Zubair | The snow-capped peaks of Kashmir have long been a magnet for travellers. I have been fortunate to witness them twice, in calm and chaos. While my 2016 visit preceded a curfew, my 2022 trip let me explore the 'heaven on earth' in the true sense. Its resplendent appearance left me awestruck on many occasions, including my floating market experience on the picturesque Dal Lake. However, the vehicle services left me disappointed.
From wading through long traffic snarls paying hefty taxi fares to the recurring honking, my vacation did turn out to be a tad noisy. Nevertheless, I bade Kashmir goodbye on a positive note, hoping that the lack of commute options, especially for tourists, would be a thing of the past when I visit again. And indeed, the problem has been resolved to a larger extent today, with Curve Electric e-bikes setting a new benchmark to curb air pollution and traffic congestion in the Valley.
Spearheaded by Sheikh Yameen and Zubair Ahmed Bhat, the e-bike rental service was introduced in 2022 as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional transport system in Srinagar. The easing of Covid restrictions worried the duo as travellers thronged the Valley, causing environmental ramifications. Yameen shares how the rising tourist footfall, integrated with ecological challenges, haggard the Valley’s fragile ecosystem back then and continues to do so.
For him, climate change is not a distant concern but an everyday reality. “With congested roads and worsening air pollution, there was visible discomfort and inconvenience among locals and tourists, and that's when the idea of micro-mobility occurred to us,” he says in an exclusive conversation with Outlook Traveller.
Identifying the environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by traditional vehicles, MBA graduates from Kashmir University launched these e-bikes for ease of travel. They aim to provide an efficient travel option that contracts carbon emissions and prevents unnecessary road jams.
The e-bikes offer a perfect alternative to diesel-powered vehicles, a significant contributor to pollution, shares Yameen. "Unlike internal combustion (IC) vehicles that depend on non-renewable energy sources, the Curve Electric e-bikes significantly shrink carbon footprints."
And the results have been laudable. The bikes have saved an estimated 150 metric tonnes of carbon emissions in the past two years—equivalent to preserving 7,500 fully grown trees.
The e-bikes' adaptability to Kashmir's topography and climate makes them even more reliable, especially for locals who prefer cheap, lasting short travel options. Unlike a standard bike with price and terrain challenges, these EVs are safe companions on every surface, from mountainous terrains to steep slopes. And they won't leave your side even in sub-zero temperatures, making them your ideal all-weather allies, informs Yameen.
With 200 operational e-bikes, the start-up has covered over 7.5 lakh km across 60,000 rides in just two years. Their steadily rising demand, with an average ride covering 13 km, is far higher than most e-bike-sharing systems worldwide. Interestingly, 75 per cent of ridership comes from locals, and 30 per cent comes from tourists, which also corroborates their purpose beyond touristy leisure.
In Srinagar alone, the registered user base ranges between 26,000 and 27,000, representing a diverse group of riders from students and office-goers to local shopkeepers involved in errands like usual commute or selling merchandise.
Usually, travellers are expected to download an app as a first step to avail of such services. However, Curve Electric has kept it simple. With the help of an executive, anyone can rent these bikes from the seven docking stations in Srinagar, making them accessible to all. Just show an ID proof, and you are set to paddle, manually or electrically—your call!
Riders don't have to make any pre-payments or security deposits. Charges come into play as soon as the ride begins, with a per-minute cost of INR 1.5 and plans varying from INR 1,500 weekly to INR 3,000 monthly. An added advantage is its built-in GPS technology, which shows you the way in case you struggle with routes.
The micro-mobility start-up made its presence felt in Shark Tanks Season 4, impressing Sharks with their vision to become India’s number 1 e-bike firm. Following expansion across the Himalayan belt and university campuses in other cities, Yameen and Zubair plan to take this sustainable initiative beyond India, becoming "a Kashmiri company operating across the globe."
To know more, follow their Instagram handle @curveelectric