We're London's Most Sustainable Shared e-Bike Operator: Agustin Guilisasti, CEO of HumanForest

HumanForest is a sustainable micro-mobility platform offering affordable, eco-friendly e-bikes to urban commuters. By combining technology with environmental responsibility, it provides a greener alternative for city transportation. The company’s mission is to create cleaner cities while promoting a carbon-neutral future.

HumanForest is based in London.

In a recent interview with SME Business Review, Agustin Guilisasti, founder & CEO of HumanForest, discussed the company's mission, its innovative approach to sustainable transportation, and his vision for greener urban living. Here’s what Mr. Guilisasti had to say.

Interview Excerpts

What motivated you to start HumanForest?

I founded HumanForest because I saw an opportunity to create a more sustainable and convenient transportation solution for urban commuters. With the rising concerns about climate change and the impact of pollution, I wanted to provide an alternative that could help reduce the environmental footprint of city transport. The idea was simple: make eco-friendly transportation accessible and affordable for everyone, so people could easily adopt more sustainable commuting habits without sacrificing convenience.

Could you tell us more about how HumanForest is addressing the challenge of urban transportation?

We’re tackling the challenge of urban transportation by offering a seamless, sustainable alternative to private cars and traditional public transport. Our electric bike-sharing platform allows users to easily access eco-friendly bikes for short trips around the city. This not only helps reduce congestion but also minimizes emissions, making cities cleaner and healthier. By providing free daily minutes, we also make it easier for more people to adopt this mode of transport, regardless of their budget.

How does the bike-sharing service work for users?

It’s really simple. Users download our app, find the nearest available electric bike, and unlock it with a quick scan. Once they’re done with the bike, they can drop it off at one of the designated parking zones in the city. The whole process is designed to be quick and easy, ensuring that commuting or short trips are more convenient than ever. Plus, the bikes are powered by renewable energy, so every ride contributes to a cleaner city.

Sustainability seems to be at the heart of HumanForest’s mission. How do you ensure your service stays environmentally friendly?

Sustainability is absolutely core to what we do. First, the electric bikes we provide are emission-free, which means every trip taken is a step toward cleaner air in our cities. We also charge our bikes using renewable energy, further minimizing the environmental impact. Additionally, we design our bikes to be durable and low-maintenance, which helps cut down on waste and the need for frequent replacements. We are also constantly improving our fleet management system by using technology to monitor bike condition and optimize bike distribution, which further reduces unnecessary movement and energy usage.

What makes HumanForest’s pricing structure stand out from other bike-sharing services?

One of the key differentiators for us is that we offer free minutes every day for users. This means that anyone can take a short trip without having to pay, making sustainable transport more accessible. For longer rides, we have competitive pricing that ensures our service remains affordable while still supporting the sustainability of our platform. We want to encourage as many people as possible to switch to greener commuting habits without the fear of high costs.

How does HumanForest fit into the larger picture of urban mobility?

HumanForest fits into the broader urban mobility ecosystem by offering a complementary transport option. We work alongside public transport to provide last-mile solutions and reduce reliance on cars. In doing so, we help reduce congestion and contribute to lowering emissions in urban areas. Our goal is to provide an easy, flexible, and sustainable transport option that supports the growing demand for cleaner cities.

What role does HumanForest play in improving public health in cities?

Cycling is great for health, and by encouraging more people to use our bikes, we’re helping to foster a healthier lifestyle in cities. Regular cycling has proven cardiovascular benefits, and it can also help reduce stress while improving overall physical fitness. We believe that by making cycling more accessible, we can encourage people to move more and spend less time in sedentary modes of transport, which can have long-term positive effects on public health.

What are some of the challenges you face as a CEO in a growing sustainable transport company?

One of the biggest challenges is scaling while maintaining our commitment to sustainability and user experience. We want to grow rapidly and serve more cities, but we also need to ensure that we’re doing so in a way that stays true to our core values. Another challenge is changing the habits of urban commuters. Many people are accustomed to using cars or traditional public transport, so encouraging them to adopt sustainable options like electric bikes takes time and education. But, these challenges are part of what makes our mission so rewarding.

What is the most exciting aspect of growing HumanForest right now?

The most exciting part for me is seeing how quickly our service is being embraced by people who are eager for alternatives to traditional transport. Cities are becoming more aware of the need for cleaner, more sustainable transportation, and we’re seeing a growing demand for solutions like ours. We’re also constantly innovating, so I’m excited about the new features we’ll be able to offer in the future, from more sustainable vehicle options to better ways to integrate with other transport systems.

What do you think is the key to HumanForest’s success so far?

I think the key to our success has been a clear focus on user experience and accessibility. From our free minutes every day to our simple and user-friendly app, we’ve made it as easy as possible for people to adopt sustainable transport. We’ve also stayed committed to our values, ensuring that sustainability is at the core of everything we do. The more people use our bikes and experience the benefits firsthand, the more we can build a community of individuals who care about making positive changes for the environment.

How do you see the future of HumanForest evolving in the next few years?

Over the next few years, I see HumanForest continuing to expand across more cities, both within the UK and internationally. We’re already planning to add more sustainable transport options to our platform, including electric scooters, which will help us meet the diverse needs of urban commuters. We’ll also be investing in technology to improve our user experience even further, from better fleet management to new app features that make it even easier for people to use our bikes. My vision for the future is to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable urban mobility and to help make greener, healthier cities the new norm.

Agustin Guilisasti, Founder & CEO, HumanForest

We’re tackling the challenge of urban transportation by offering a seamless, sustainable alternative to private cars and traditional public transport.