iRide is the first electric scooter rental service in Chisinau. This service was created with the support of UNDP and the Global Environment Facility to help promote environmentally friendly alternative transport.

The use of scooters in Chisinau means: an alternative and ecological transport, fast and convenient short-distance travel in the city, avoiding traffic jams and inconvenience in public transport and, directly, reducing CO2 emissions. More recently, scooters are also a safe transport solution during pandemic, which allows people to keep your physical distance and avoid congestion in urban transport.

"Current practices of strategic urban planning and development are increasingly focused on smart mobility and eco mobility, and alternative urban transport occupies important place in the policies of development of modern urban agglomerations. Thus, Chisinau is rethinking its transport network to offer people safe, efficient and comfortable alternatives for travel, whether by public, private, bicycle or walking. This is even more needed now, as we overcome the COVID-19 crisis and we recover better and greener," said Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Moldova.

"This service is a good opportunity, but also an alternative for those who want to travel around the city on scooters, but do not have the opportunity to buy them, or do not want to do so. I like to ride on a scooter through the city, or by bike, there is still work to be done on creating the infrastructure for these means of transport, but we are taking small but safe steps in this regard, to create approprite conditions in the capital. I support all innovative and good ideas like this," mentioned Ion Ceban, General Mayor of Chisinau.

The scooters offered by iRide can reach a speed of up to 25 km/h, supporting a maximum weight of 100 kg and having a battery that ensures a range of up to 25 km.

To be able to rent scooters, four simple steps need to be followed:

1. Registration on the website https://iride.md
2. Finding the nearest iRide parking location
3. Renting a scooter
4. Return of the scooter to the most convenient location with iRide parking

The payment is made at the end of the rental session, by using a bank card.

Today, the iRide service has 30 electric scooters, available in the most populated areas of Chisinau, and the list of locations is available at https://iride.md.

The service was created with the support of the GEF-UNDP project "Sustainable Green Cities for Moldova" and implemented by MTD LTD, which was selected through an open competition. The grant offered by UNDP is US$8,000, and the beneficiary's contribution is $5,400.