Biggest docked e-bike to hire scheme rolls in
FIRST OF 500 ELECTRIC BICYCLES PARK UP AHEAD OF LAUNCH
THE first of 500 electric bikes for public hire have arrived in Leicester.
The cycles are being parked up in docking stations around the city ahead of the launch of the £600,000 scheme to try to help people get around the city.
The project, which is officially called Santander Cycles Leicester, will be the largest docked e-bike hire scheme in the UK, it is believed.
The bank is sponsoring the initiative, which is led by Leicester City Council, and follows a successful bid for government cash.
Still to be formally launched later this year, a selected group of key workers is taking part in a trial run, which is due to take place soon.
Bikes have begun to appear at some of the 50 on-street docking stations across the city as the scheme prepares to enter a test phase.
Volunteers will be testing the system by using the bikes as they go about essential business in the city centre - in line with current lockdown rules and public health guidance.
The volunteers are a selected group of key workers and the bikes will only be used to make essential, necessary journeys.
Once an initial testing phase is complete, the scheme will be opened up to more frontline health and social care workers for essential journeys.
They will be able to try the scheme for free until the end of March. A public launch is planned for spring this year.
Santander Cycles Leicester will cover the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods with 50 docking stations.
Locations include St Margaret’s Bus Station – which is being completely rebuilt – as well as at Leicester railway station and De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre.
To ensure good hygiene, Ride On’s maintenance team will be disinfecting the equipment regularly, using “Ghostbusters”-style backpacks of sanitising spray so they can move around the docking stations and bikes effectively.
Riders will be advised to use hand sanitiser and/or gloves when riding the bikes, as well as taking wipes to wipe down the bike themselves before and after use.
The initial group of volunteers will provide feedback on how the cleansing system is working, as well as on how easy it is to use the bikes, website and app. When the scheme is fully up and running later this year, people will be able to register online or at one of the on-street kiosks, buy a plan based on their needs and then use a smartphone or keycard to unlock a bike and start riding.
Day passes and membership fares will be available.
Extra investment has come from the operator Ride On and partner company Enzen Global.