Wellcome Genome Campus

An ultra-affordable docked bike-sharing trial at WGC and Whittlesford Parkway —
proving that retrofit smart docks can cut infrastructure costs by 70%, funded by TRIG 2023.

Mosa EveryBikeSecure Hub installation at Wellcome Trust office.

Users tested the system over one month

70%

Infrastructure cost savings vs traditional bike-sharing

Locations: WGC campus & Whittlesford Parkway Station

Docking stations deployed across both sites

Why we did it

The Mosa Ultra-Affordable Bicycle Sharing Scheme was designed to provide a low-cost, scalable, and sustainable micromobility solution for non-tier-1 cities and underserved towns — addressing the barriers to widespread bike-sharing adoption.

Funded by TRIG 2023, this initiative allowed Mosa to collaborate with UCL's MUSA Lab, conduct extensive market research, and execute a live prototype trial. Without TRIG's support, testing such an innovation in a real-world setting would have been a major financial risk. The trial focused on validating feasibility, engaging stakeholders, and refining operational elements to pave the way for larger-scale deployments in the UK and beyond.

How we did it

Phase 1 — Research & Stakeholder Engagement

9 interviews conducted with 7 local authorities and 2 major campuses
Insights shaped the system design and identified key adoption barriers (security, demand generation, infrastructure limitations)
Focused on non-tier-1 cities to ensure an inclusive micromobility approach
Identified pilot locations based on demand, infrastructure feasibility, and willingness to invest

Phase 2 — Prototype Development & Trial Execution

5 bikes and 10 docking stations installed across WGC and Whittlesford Parkway Train Station
Smart docks retrofitted onto existing infrastructure to minimise deployment costs
30 users recruited for real-world testing over one month
Data collected to assess feasibility, usability, and environmental impact

Phase 3 — Addressing Challenges & Refinements

Poor internet reception at WGC led to development of offline key encryption mechanisms
Increased customer support measures introduced to mitigate connectivity issues
Further trials at larger scales identified as needed to assess full financial sustainability

What we achieved

The trial successfully validated the system's feasibility and operational effectiveness for small-scale deployments. The retrofit smart dock model demonstrated it could reduce implementation costs for local authorities by up to 70% compared to traditional bike-sharing infrastructure — a significant finding for councils and campuses with limited budgets.

Affordability confirmed: retrofit model dramatically reduces costs for local authorities
Trust and usability: users and operators prioritised security over additional features
Strong scalability potential for small towns, campuses, and private developments
Stakeholder engagement secured for future trials, including Cambridgeshire County Council

Next steps

Mosa is now in the planning phase with Wellcome Genome Campus to transition the successful pilot into a permanent deployment — scaling it up to meet the growing demand from commuters and visitors.

Following validation, we are expanding the scheme to hotels, smaller cities, and towns — not just in the UK but worldwide. As a company driven by impact rather than profit, Mosa prioritises underserved communities where traditional, profit-driven bike-sharing companies do not operate.