Train + bike, the perfect combination to meet France's new expectations
To help travelers organize their sustainable vacations, startup Lokki has forged an unprecedented partnership with the Mollow association. The idea is simple: find an eco-friendly means of transport to a destination on Mollow.eu. Then, rent your ideal bike (gravel, mountain bike, VTC, electric bike) on Lokki.rent to solve the last-mile challenge and get around once you've arrived.
This solution avoids the complex management of bicycle travel in France, whether in terms of cost, logistics (dismantling and reassembling your bike three times) or even compartment space.
"Yes, it means leaving your favorite bike at home, but sometimes that may be the best collective solution until the new modular SNCF shuttles arrive and make organization easier," says Léo Mallet, co-founder of Mollow. And Alisée Pierrot, co-founder of Mollow, adds: "Lokki, in addition to being a great, committed team, is for us the ideal way to offer a bike rental solution at destination, and to solve the last-mile problem that is essential to sustainable tourism!
Thousands of French people already hooked on cycling vacations
Nature vacations and micro-adventures are booming. For the All Saints' Day vacation in 2023, if more than a third of French people expressed the wish to go away to relax, according to a study by Atout France, they favored "nature destinations" such as Corsica, Brittany, Provence, the Côte d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon and Normandy, reports the Guide du Routard.
Thanks to the Rugby World Cup and mild temperatures in September, tourism professionals had indeed forecast a record year, but the results were ultimately mixed, due to the storms currently affecting France and household budget constraints.
On the rental side,** €900,897 in total sales** were recorded between October 13 and November 6, for a total of 7,886 bike reservations at Lokki-affiliated rental outlets.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Île-de-France and Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions have seen the highest numbers of French people traveling by bike since October 15.
Developing slow tourism all year round
"The development of sustainable tourism is much more than a trend: it's a vital step forward for the planet. By opting for environmentally-friendly travel choices, we reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a better future for future generations," says Benoit Prigent, co-founder of Lokki.
Autumn is the perfect time to get away from it all and (re)discover our beautiful French countryside. With its shimmering colors and mild climate, it's the perfect time to get away at the last minute and enjoy the beauty of nature by bike.
To make the most of autumn, Lokki and Mollow recommend these destinations:
➡️ Le Vexin and especially Auvers-sur-Oise, for a break between nature and culture just 1 h 00 from Paris.
➡️ Annecy, with the fabulous Tour du Lac and 10 incredible spots to see on site
➡️ Toulouse, for a perfectly mild autumn, with its famous pink bricks and plenty of picturesque walks starting from the Canal du Midi.
About Lokki.rent
Lokki.rent democratizes sustainable leisure for all and the economy of use. Why buy when you can rent? Lokki is a platform that lists over 2,000 rental outlets for leisure equipment in France, including bikes, surfboards, paddles and kayaks. With just one click, you can rent your favorite equipment for an hour, a day or even several days to reconnect with nature and rediscover France. Rent, move, enjoy!
Mollow.eu is an association that helps travelers reach any destination in Europe and France in an eco-responsible way. Over 30 new destinations are already available on the site, with a further 20 under construction.
