E-bikes are increasingly replacing solely pedalpowered models to tempt new users
transporting topped-up batteries to hire bikes scattered around London. Obviously, if hunting down bikes with depleted batteries and swapping them for fresh ones is accomplished by e-bikeenabled technicians, so much the better. But the fundamental model by which fresh batteries are delivered to bikes will always be inherently inefficient.
This is one reason why Tfl’s dockingstyle bicycle ranks may prove a better solution, even if they offer less freedom in where you can end your journey. “I think the long-term solution is in-dock charging stations,” says Eddington. “So when the bike is returned, it’s not sitting there idle. Instead it will be recharged through the docking station itself.”
This kind of technology is already in use in several schemes in the UK. However, the cost of providing such infrastructure means it’s typically reserved for local government-funded or endorsed projects.
Is the future electric?
Looking at the whole market, e-bikes are increasingly replacing solely pedalpowered models to tempt new users to take up cycling while improving the utility of rental bikes as urban transport. You can now find public and privately owned schemes providing e-bike rentals across the UK, including in Glasgow, Manchester and Milton Keynes. And almost all privately run schemes now focus exclusively on e-bikes.
It will be interesting to see what percentage of Tfl’s vast pool of bikes eventually make the switch and how this affects usage. Currently, e-bikes make up just 500 of the 12,000 bikes. Nevertheless, the direction of travel is only one-way.
“I don’t see us stepping back from this now,” says Eddington. “When you first get off an e-bike, it’s hard not to smile. It’s fantastic. And if it gets more people using our bikes, I think it’s the way forward.”