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The deal hasn't officially closed, but in all likelihood it will soon be possible for the driver of an Uber car to park in a bike lane and endanger the rider of an Uber bike. Reports came down in the tech press today that Uber is acquiring Jump.
"This acquisition really makes sense for Uber, which is looking to build more into their platform for transportation," said Rikin Diwan, Jump's VP of Marketing, in a phone interview with Streetsblog. He added that it will allow Jump to expand globally and achieve the goal to "get more people on bikes."
Welcome to the family @JumpMobility! One step closer to our vision of bringing together multiple modes of transportation within the Uber app.
Diwan and Jump's 100 or so other employees will continue to operate under an independent subsidiary. "So pretty much business as usual," he said. "But we’re going to look at ways to integrate real smart."
Advocates, including the SFBC, have tried to work with Uber to improve its safety record, but so far without much success. "Perhaps now that biking is officially part of the brand, Uber will finally make strides to improve safety on SF’s streets for people who bike," wrote Cassidy.
Familiar sight: an Uber blocking the bike lane on Valencia. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick
"I think we can keep working with Uber to find ways for both platforms to support biking," said Rifkin, when asked about the Uber's poor track record on traffic violations and safety. "Uber is now in the biking business."
We'll see how that translates on the streets. But considering that Ford (a car company) sponsors the Bay Area's official bike share system, and now an online taxi-company is its main competition, it seems as if anything can happen in today's mobility business.