A new pilot e-bike hire scheme is set to be launched in Bristol to encourage sustainable travel and tackle unemployment.
Magazine and social enterprise The Big Issue has partnered with Norwegian bike company ShareBike for the initiative.
After what The Big Issue called “frustrating” manufacturer and supply chain delays, 420 branded power-assisted bikes could be available to ride in the city’s streets in the coming days. A release date announcement is “close”, according to the scheme’s Facebook page.
The trial in Bristol is part of a planned wider rollout of the bikes across the West of England and then into other cities across the UK.
The bikes, like the e-scooters operated by Swedish firm Voi that have already been trialled in Bristol and the West Country for more than a year, will be accessible through an app and payment system, and there will be no docking stations.
The Big Issue said there were also plans to hire 10 workers to run repairs and manage the programme, with the first two employees having now joined. It added that access to services and support would also be offered to improve lives affected by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Big Issue and ShareBike first announced plans for the scheme in November 2020. At the time The Big Issue's co-founder Lord Bird said: “It’s been wonderful to come together with a like-minded organisation with a truly innovative venture that offers hope to those facing great adversity due to Covid-related poverty.
“We are confident that The Big Issue eBikes scheme will recruit and retrain unemployed and vulnerable people in local communities and provide them with access to support and services to improve their lives."
Jan Tore Endresen, chief executive of ShareBike, added: "“In our partnership with The Big Issue, ShareBike sees a unique opportunity to help people whilst providing sustainable mobility.
“With more than 20 years’ experience in global bike sharing we have ensured that Big Issue eBikes offer a comfortable and convenient alternative to fossil fuel-based transportation, as well as providing an affordable mode of travelling around cities in the UK.”
Ahead of the scheme's official launch in Bristol, James Durie, chief executive of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative and executive director of Business West, said the organisation was looking forward to encouraging members to use the scheme.
In a LinkedIn post Mr Durie wrote: “Bristol and the West of England needs better mobility and this scheme will, I think, add another important dimension. Micro mobility - as it’s termed - has an important role to give all businesses, residents and visitors more choices - and ones which are zero carbon but also attractive and convenient.
“It's part of measures that can help tackle congestion, improve air quality and [sic] generally a more attractive city and city region in which to live, run a business, study or visit.”
In November, the The West of England Combined Authority extended the trial of the Voi e-scooters until March 2022, after the scheme facilitated almost two and half million rides in Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire during its first 12 months.
At the time Voi said the scooters had helped save 900,000 short car journeys across the area and saved an estimated 480 tonnes of CO2.
The company launched a marketing campaign to encourage the safe use of its e-scooters, following concerns over the way they are ridden and parked on public roads and pavements.
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