A transport sharing initiative is continuing to promote the health benefits of cycling through electric bike sharing schemes up and down the country.
On the back of Carplus, the shared mobility scheme, Bikeplus is the new representative body for bike sharing which has set out, amongst other objectives, to reduce car traffic, increase cycle use in conjunction with public transport while collecting data on the resulting impact on congestion, improved access to jobs and amenities and overall benefits to the economy.
Antonia Roberts, Bikeplus Manager, commented: “Bikeplus is keen to know what contribution shared electric bikes can make to sustainable transport and find out what sort of people are attracted to electric bikes in different contexts – and why.”
Bikeplus are launching 11 selected Shared Electric Bike Programme projects as part of a £750,000 Department for Transport funded grant to find out how electric bikes can have an impact on congestion, air quality and the health benefits of cycling.
Projects so far include e-bike sharing schemes in Bristol, Exeter, Oxford, Rotherham, Isle of Wight, Hebden Bridge, Cambridge, Norwich, Eastbourne, Plymouth, New Forest National Park and Housing Associations in Southern England.
From the cycle share schemes already in operation, statistics have shown that 68% of bike share users had not cycled prior to the launch of one cycle share scheme. Other data showed 63% went on to purchase a bike as a result of using such a scheme.
Schemes already in operation:
- Outspoken Cycles in Cambridge offering electric cargo bikes for public training and hire
- 10 electric bikes connecting University of Brighton Eastbourne campus with the railway station
- Compass Bikes are fully operational offering shared electric bikes across Southern England; Housing Associations in Ipswich, Lowestoft, Felixstowe, Chesterton, also with Low Carbon Group in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire
- We:Cycle in Hebden Bridge has started rolling out its fleet of 15 electric bikes
- 20 electric bikes were being launched Easter bank holiday weekend in Plymouth
Future schemes scheduled:
- Adding 16 electric bikes to the current fleet of conventional Oxonbikes in Oxford
- An all-ability project offering 4 adapted electric bikes in New Forest National Park
- 24 electric bikes in Exeter will be operated by Co-Cars with a launch in June
- 70 electric bikes in Rotherham will be operated by Rotherham Borough Council
- 24 electric bikes in Bristol operated Co-Wheels launching in June
- 25 electric bikes located at visitor centres on Isle of Wight are being launched formally in May
Andrew Jones MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport supported the electric bike launches, saying: “Electric bikes are a great way to encourage new people to get into cycling and I hope this interesting scheme encourages more people to take it up. Cycling helps cut congestion and is a healthy, affordable transport option.
“We want to double the number of journeys made by bicycle. That is why we are also investing over the next five years in cycle training and infrastructure.”
