Business travellers stuck in traffic on their way to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport were in luck last week, as knights in shining leather were ready to zip them off to their flight on the back of a motorcycle. Three yellow bikes covered the busiest roads near Amsterdam between 7 and 11 am, and were reachable via a designated phone number. Each bike held a second driver, ready to take a stranded driver's car to Schiphol's Valet Parking, where it could be picked up after the trip. The bikes used can easily stow a piece of carry-on luggage and briefcase, and passengers were provided with a helmet.
Last week's motorcycle taxis were a try-out service by a new Dutch website for business travellers, Bizztrip. Bizztrip aims to be a no-nonsense travel portal for entrepreneurs who book their own travel. Whether flying first class or low-cost, customers are offered an array of extra services, including visa handling and travel to the airport. Bizztrip is currently evaluating whether it will make motortaxi saviours one of its standard features. Seems like a smart move, though pricing would have to be fairly high to cover the cost of two drivers and the time they spend driving around seeking customers in need. While Virgin Airlines offer Virgin LimoBikes in the UK, and private motorcycle taxis cater to travellers in other countries, the option to be rescued from a car stuck in a traffic jam seems new. One for airlines or limo companies to set up in other countries? Could also be a great service for motorcycle brands to sponsor.
Website: www.bizztrip.com
Contact: info@bizztrip.com
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Would you really sit on the back of a motorcycle in the shitty weather they have in The Netherlands, wearing a used helmet and praying your luggage doesn't fall off during transport?
It is however a great idea to use a Honda Goldwing, these bikes do offer some type of comfort.
Same business is developping in France with success!
To be followed with attention!
It's a fantastic way to save time!
Our company: www.amplitude-deplacements.com is one of the newcomers on the Paris market.
This product already exists!! Check out the Virgin webpage!!
Great time saving service and business. Not yet in Nigeria but there a motorcylce taxis one can hop on to the airport when in traffic traffic mess.
This service already exist a ages in Rio de Janeiro!
These moto taxis already exists in France from years and it works great.
this business has been going on in Indonesia for years too, it's everywhere, it's quite cheap, and fast.
we call it "ojeg".
here in my country its illegal the mototaxi, you know which country its, colombia, people buy motorcycles for work but the goverment dont like that for they evade taxes, its a crazy law
To everyone who commented that this concept is already available in their country: is it really the same thing, that is: are passengers picked up from their cars while in a traffic jam, with a second employee from the mototaxi service driving the passenger's car to his/her destination? We're aware that motorcylce taxis exist in a large number of countries, but hadn't come across a service as described above.
To ride in PARIS BY NIGHT, try "Moto-Taxi"
paristravelbike.com 00336 69 79 3000
I am from Mauritius....weather would be ideal for this activity here...however, passengers arriving at our airport are 90% tourist coming for an average 10 days holidays...so what to do with their load of luggage...second point is that after 12 hrs flight one will not be very keen on sitting at the back of bikerider...
I have one question...how do these companies manage the helmets ??? my head may be bigger than the average...what happens if i book a moto taxi at CDG for example and that the helmet does not go on my head ??
Considering the incredible rudeness and complete dodginess (not to mention gobsmacking prices) of taxi drivers in Amsterdam, I can see a service like this being a hit even if it IS pricey. Anyone who provides service with a smile (or even just without a snarl) in this town is well on the way to their first million.
Kelly | June 20, 2007 10:23 AM