A new electric bike hire service has launched from an Island business, thanks to funding from the Isle of Wight Council.
The Bay Boutique Bed and Breakfast, situated at Freshwater Bay, secured funding competitively from the Isle of Wight Council’s Active Travel Innovation Grant last autumn to support a new initiative aiming to attract active travellers to explore the beauty of West Wight, using electric bikes (e-bikes).
Councillor John Hobart, Cabinet member for environment and heritage has said:
“I attended the launch on behalf of the council and it was great to see the e-bikes in action – they’re great for lapsed cyclists or those just starting out and I’m sure they will be a great success with visitors who want to include active travel in their stay on the Island and I hope they will encourage others to drive less and see more of our beautiful Island, it’s certainly encouraged me”.
The Bay Boutique Bed and Breakfast operates as an environmentally sustainable business and these new bikes will be charged by solar panels, making them an even greener form of transport.
The e-bikes will also be available to hire by any Freshwater Bay visitors whether self-catering or staying in other bed and breakfasts and a partnership with Wight Cycle Hire will ensure larger groups can have access to e-bikes too.
Owner of The Bay Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Paul Mocroft said:
“This is an exciting undertaking for us. The new e-bikes will be available for guests to discover the Island at their own pace. The advantage of e-bikes is that you don’t have to be an expert cyclist or super fit to have a go. Knowing you’ve got an electric motor to boost your journey gives you the confidence to go further and tackle those hills with ease.”
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