Sherbrooke inviting locals to come take a free ride
The City of Sherbrooke unveiled its new collection of electric bicycles and scooters on Wednesday as a part of the launch of a new initiative called, “Velectrik Sherbrooke.” From now until October, and then again in the summer of 2022, the nine bicycles and two “mobipode” scooters, will be available for free to members of the population or visitors to the area who sign up for them in advance.
“The electrification of transport is a priority objective,” said Marc Denault, Sherbrooke City Councillor and President of the Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS), explaining that the program is something of a free trial for the city to help make decisions about future investments in electric vehicles for public use. “It is very important for us that the people of Sherbrooke get the chance to decide what they prefer for their mode of transportation.”
According to Denault, the entire project cost about $174,000, which was provided through a grant from the provincial transport ministry.
“There was $2 million announced by Minister Bonnardel for this type of project,” Denault said, estimating
that the bicycles cost around $2,500 each and the mobipodes somewhat more.
From a technical standpoint, the two types of vehicles are similar. Both have an operating range of 50-60 kilometres with batteries that take about 2.5 to 3 hours to charge. Whereas the bicycles have a seat and an electric motor that is engaged when pedaling, the scooters, which are manufactured by Sherbrooke-based Geebee, require riders to stand with a motor that is activated by means of an accelerator on the handlebars.
For this initial run, the Velectrik project has acquired more bicycles than mobipodes, based on the idea that they might be a more familiar option.
“Most people already know how to ride a bicycle,” Denault said.
Those using the new equipment need to conform to a few pre-set rules.
The vehicles are available to anyone over the age of 14 for a period of up to two hours, but those 14-17 are required by provincial law to hold a class 6d driver’s licence. Those 18 and up do not need to meet this requirement. Anyone borrowing a vehicle needs to sign a release form in advance and provide a piece of photo identification as well as a credit card or banking information with the local tourist information bureau, where the vehicles are stored. All riders must wear helmets, and late returns are charged $20 per 15 minutes.
In addition to being a trial run for sustainable transportation in the city, the new program also has a tourism component.
“This is also something that is of interest to visitors who may come,” said Helene Vandenburghe of Destination Sherbrooke, the city’s tourism office. “There is a growing interest across Quebec in actions that are sustainable or beneficial for the environment.”
To foster that interest, Destination Sherbrooke has developed a gourmet guided tour that will allow people to use the powered bicycles to tour local attrations and try out some of the tasted of the region.
“Different offers of guided tour circuits will bb developed over time,” Vandenburghe added.
To reserve, interested individuals must reserve a spot in advance online at