Claude Berda: The Entrepreneur Behind Cityscoot and a New Way to Move Around Cities
In the world of startups and urban innovation, some names quietly shape how millions of people live their daily lives. Claude Berda is one of those figures. You may not recognize his name immediately, but if you’ve seen electric scooters zipping through European cities—or used one yourself—you’ve likely felt the impact of his work.
Claude Berda is best known as the founder of Cityscoot, a pioneering electric scooter sharing company that helped redefine urban mobility in France and beyond. His story is one of entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and a belief that cities can be cleaner, smarter, and more enjoyable places to live.
Let’s take a closer look at who Claude Berda is, what he built, and why his journey matters to everyday people—not just tech insiders.
Who Is Claude Berda?
Claude Berda is a French entrepreneur with a background in business and innovation. Rather than following a traditional corporate path, Berda gravitated toward building companies that challenged existing systems—especially in transportation and urban services.
Before founding Cityscoot, Berda had already been involved in several entrepreneurial ventures. These experiences helped shape his approach: identify a real-world problem, apply technology in a practical way, and focus on user experience.
At the heart of his work is a simple idea: cities should work better for the people who live in them.
The Problem He Wanted to Solve
Anyone who lives in a large city knows the frustrations:
- Traffic congestion
- Air pollution
- Limited parking
- Overcrowded public transport
In cities like Paris, getting from one place to another can be surprisingly slow—even for short distances. Traditional cars often make the problem worse, while public transport doesn’t always cover every need.
Claude Berda saw an opportunity in this gap. He believed there was room for a lightweight, flexible, and eco-friendly mode of transportation that fit naturally into dense urban environments.
That belief eventually became Cityscoot.
The Birth of Cityscoot
Cityscoot was founded in 2014, at a time when shared mobility was still a relatively new concept in Europe. While bike sharing programs existed, electric scooter sharing at scale was largely untested.
Berda’s vision was ambitious:
- 100% electric scooters
- No docking stations (users could pick up and drop off scooters anywhere within a service area)
- Easy access through a smartphone app
- A service designed for everyday city use
This wasn’t just about convenience—it was about changing habits.
Cityscoot scooters were quiet, clean, and easy to ride, making them ideal for short trips across busy city streets.
Why Cityscoot Stood Out
Several features helped Cityscoot stand apart from other mobility startups:
1. Electric-Only from Day One
Unlike some companies that transitioned to electric later, Cityscoot was built entirely around electric vehicles. This aligned perfectly with growing concerns about climate change and air quality.
2. User-Friendly Technology
The Cityscoot app allowed users to:
- Locate nearby scooters
- Unlock them instantly
- Pay by the minute
For many users, this seamless experience was their first taste of app-based mobility.
3. Focus on Dense Cities
Rather than expanding too quickly everywhere, Cityscoot focused on cities where scooters made the most sense—starting with Paris.
4. Professional Operations
Scooters were maintained, charged, and serviced regularly, helping the company build trust with users and local authorities.
Challenges Along the Way
Like most startups, Cityscoot’s journey was not smooth sailing.
Shared mobility is a tough business. It requires:
- Heavy upfront investment
- Constant maintenance
- Navigation of complex city regulations
- Competition from global players
Claude Berda had to balance growth with sustainability. As the market evolved, competition intensified, and cities began imposing stricter rules on shared vehicles.
Despite these challenges, City scoot became one of the most recognizable scooter-sharing brands in France, proving that the concept worked.
Claude Berda’s Leadership Style
Those familiar with Berda’s work often describe him as:
- Pragmatic rather than flashy
- Focused on execution, not hype
- Willing to adapt when conditions change
He represents a kind of entrepreneurship that doesn’t chase trends for their own sake. Instead, he emphasizes real-world impact and long-term thinking.
This approach helped City scoot earn credibility—not just with users, but also with city governments and partners.
The Broader Impact on Urban Mobility
Claude Berda’s influence goes beyond a single company.
City scoot helped normalize the idea that:
- You don’t need to own a vehicle to get around
- Electric mobility can be practical, not just idealistic
- Cities can reduce emissions without sacrificing convenience
For many people, riding a shared electric scooter became a gateway to rethinking how they move through the city.
This shift in mindset is one of the most important legacies of Berda’s work.
What Happened Next?
As the shared mobility sector matured, consolidation and restructuring became common. City scoot faced financial pressures, especially as competition grew and operational costs increased.
While the company’s journey has had ups and downs, Claude Berda’s role in kickstarting a movement remains significant. Even when start-ups struggle or evolve, the ideas they introduce often live on through new companies, policies, and consumer habits.
Why Claude Berda’s Story Matters
You don’t need to be an entrepreneur to learn something from Claude Berda’s journey.
His story highlights a few universal lessons:
- Big changes often start with simple observations
- Technology works best when it serves real human needs
- Improving everyday life can be just as powerful as chasing global disruption
Whether you’ve ridden an electric scooter or just watched them pass by, you’ve seen the ripple effects of ideas like his.
