Abeda & Zelani Bhuiyan, Co-Founders at RideAlike
tl;dr
RideAlike, founded by Abeda and Zelani Bhuiyan, offers a peer-to-peer car sharing platform for condo communities in the GTA and Hamilton.
Launched in 2021, RideAlike aims to reduce car ownership costs, promote shared mobility, and foster community connections.
The platform includes $2 million liability insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and allows owners to earn up to $800/month.
RideAlike: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility Through Community Car Sharing
“We believe catching a ride should be as simple as saying ‘hi’ to your neighbor. After all, life is better when it’s shared.” - Abeda Bhuiyan, co-founder Ridealike
RideAlike, co-founded by Abeda and Zelani Bhuiyan, is pioneering a peer-to-peer car sharing platform tailored for modern condo communities. Established in 2019 and operational since 2021, RideAlike addresses the growing need for sustainable and efficient transportation options within urban environments. With a strong presence in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton, RideAlike promotes shared mobility, reduces costs, and fosters a sense of community among residents.
Abeda Bhuiyan, with a background in public accounting and strategic management, and Zelani Bhuiyan, who has extensive experience in sales, management and digital transformation, identified a gap in urban transportation. The idea for RideAlike emerged from their personal experience of leaving their cars idle in their condo garage while they took transit to work. They realized that many of their neighbors were doing the same thing. Their vision is to leverage technology and community to create a seamless car sharing ecosystem that benefits both car owners and renters.
The RideAlike Model
RideAlike operates on a simple yet effective model: residents within the same building or community can share their idle cars with neighbors. This not only reduces the financial burden of car ownership but also maximizes the utility of existing vehicles. The platform ensures all cars and users are thoroughly verified and includes $2 million in liability insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance across North America. Car owners can make up to $800 a month.
Community and Environmental Impact
One of RideAlike's key objectives is to build stronger community ties. Regular events organized by RideAlike facilitate interactions among residents, fostering a sense of belonging and trust. For instance, pet owners can connect with fellow pet owners to rent cars that accommodate their furry friends, creating sub-communities with shared interests.
From an environmental perspective, RideAlike helps reduce the carbon footprint by decreasing the number of cars on the road. Shared mobility leads to fewer vehicles, which means less congestion and lower emissions. This aligns with strong global trends towards sustainable transportation solutions.
Launching RideAlike during the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, including coordination issues with development teams and initial public hesitation towards shared vehicles. However, by 2023, RideAlike had overcome these hurdles, marking a turning point with increased user acceptance.
RideAlike recently surpassed $100,000 in revenue, with over 1,400 rental days and 262 cars onboarded. High-profile properties managed by companies such as CBRE and Oxford Properties have embraced the platform, validating its potential and effectiveness.
Future of Transportation and Expansion
RideAlike envisions a future where car ownership is no longer a necessity, particularly in high-density urban areas. The platform is ready to expand beyond Ontario, leveraging partnerships with property developers and managers across Canada and the USA. This expansion is supported by the growing trend towards access mobility, especially among younger generations who prioritize sustainability and cost-efficiency over ownership.
RideAlike is actively seeking partnerships with property managers and developers to expand its reach and impact. Additionally, the company is looking for a marketing leader to spearhead its community-focused growth and further its mission of transforming urban mobility.
For more information or to become a partner, visit RideAlike.
By promoting shared mobility, RideAlike not only provides a practical solution to urban transportation challenges but also contributes to building more connected and environmentally conscious communities.
Related Content
