An e-scooter ride sharing business is being launched by Bermudian entertainer Alexander Marshall, known by his stage name as Fiyah Marshall.

Whip Ride Share is billed as an affordable and convenient way to get around the island allowing residents and tourists to pick up and drop off small-wheeled, electrically-assisted scooters from designated locations.

The company recently carried out a soft launch in collaboration with local “entrepreneurial accelerator“ group Ignite Bermuda and is set to officially launch on Saturday [May 15] to coincide with the return of the Sail GP races.

The scooters can be hired via the Whip Ride Share app which is due to launch this week and will be available via the Apple Store and Google Play store.

Mr Marshall, Whip Ride Share founder, told The Royal Gazette: “We are launching on Saturday, as it is a great opportunity to showcase a new service to Bermuda and help tourists and locals get around while enjoying the festivities of Sail GP.

“Everybody is aware of Bermuda’s transportation issues, it is not always easy to get around. We are hoping to make Bermuda more modern.

“It is an on-demand service, that is fun and affordable – convenient transportation hire in the palm of your hand.

“All you need is to have an official ID and a credit card or debit card in order to use the service. It’s similar to what is offered in the States – anyone age 16 and over can pick them up and you have to park them in one of many ‘Whip zones’ around the island to end the hire service.

“They have a maximum speed of 25kph and are safe to use.

“They are not subject to transport legislation, it is like riding a bicycle on the road – we ask our customers to keep to the left, do not operate the scooters under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to respect the other road users.”

Whip Ride Share units use swappable batteries. Users can return the units at various designated drop-off zones known as “Whip Zones”.

The company provides helmets which can be secured to the units a the end of their use.

Users are entitled to their first ride for free when purchasing a basic credit package. For more information, visit www.grabawhip.com

Mr Marshall said he is starting the business with 150 electrically-assisted custom-designed scooters.

Once signed up, customers can hire a scooter starting at $3 and then 50 cent a minute there after. Mr Marshall said Whip Ride Share uses a similar model as overseas e-scooter hire companies Bird and Lime.

He said: “We took them as industry leaders and tweaked it for Bermuda. The swappable batteries in our model mean the fleet doesn’t need down time to recharge.

“There are several hundred ‘Whip Zones’ around the island where the scooters can be parked and we welcome businesses to designate more on their properties. St Regis hotel is giving us a zone in front of the hotel.”

Mr Marshall added that he hopes to expand the business into the Caribbean.

“Our goal is to be become premier provider for electric-assisted micro mobility scooter ride sharing in the Caribbean.

Mr Marshall is a recording artist who has performed with international artists including American rapper Jadakiss and Jamaican reggae musician Sizzla.

He is currently residing in Bermuda and says while his main focus is Whip Ride Share, he continues to create music.

A company press release read: “Whip looks forward to enhancing Bermuda’s tourism experience product whilst also modernising our transportation system to keep up with other jurisdictions around the world where electrically assisted kick scooters, electrically assisted bicycles and micro mobility ride sharing services have become the norm.

“We are excited to do our part in improving Bermuda and help bring it into the future. Need to get somewhere? #GrabAWhip”