Derby’s new electric bike sharing scheme has been unveiled. Featuring a selection of the state-of-the-art ebikes, it will be the largest electric bikeshare scheme in the UK. Around 200 ebikes provided by US-based Social Bicycles, will be found at 30 docking stations across the city, with the day-to-day running being handled by Hourbike – the UK’s longest established bikeshare operator in the UK.
In addition to being the country’s largest electric bikeshare scheme, the technology behind the ebikes in Derby is currently only being used in New York and San Francisco.
Customers pay 3p per minute to ride the ebikes (there’s a minimum charge of £1 per rental) after signing up through the Social Bicycles app, or via the eBikes Derby website: www.ebikesderby.com There is a maximum daily charge of £12 and customers can pre-load credit onto their account.
Tim Caswell, owner and managing director of Hourbike, said, “This is bikeshare on a whole new level and very different to the existing bikeshare services that people may have tried in other cities. The electric assist really makes a different to the effort required and the enjoyment you get from riding them. The ebikes really are a faster, easier and effortless way of getting around the city.”
Docking stations will be based across the city: including various University of Derby sites, Rolls-Royce, the Railway Station, Derby Arena, the Council House, the Market Place, Victoria Street, The Spot, Castle Ward, the Roundhouse, Royal Derby Hospital and the Rail Technology Centre.
Plans for the bikeshare were first revealed last year, after the Derby City Council took part in a competitive bid to win funding for a sustainable transport alternative for the city. The bid was successful and a £450k grant was awarded, for Derby to receive a bikeshare scheme. Derby University then came on board as a key partner, contributing £100k to the scheme’s running costs.
For further details, visit https://www.ebikesderby.com. For all other tourist information, visit http://www.visitderby.co.uk.
