More than 1,500 Islanders will have the chance to go electric this summer with the roll-out of a series of innovative electric bike pilot projects across the Island, delivered by the Isle of Wight Council.
The plans include an e-bike roadshow, e-bike hire and loan schemes working in partnership with local cycle hire operators, and an e-cycle corridor along the Newport to Cowes cycle-path.
The projects will focus on introducing Islanders to e-bikes in a safe, structured manner, focussing on residents from groups that have traditionally been less attracted to cycling.
The announcement has been made possible thanks to a £132,920 grant from the Department for Transport’s E-Cycle Extension Fund — from which the council was 1 of only 9 local authorities to secure funding.
Welcoming the news, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for environment, said e-bikes were an increasingly popular way of travelling, both for local journeys and wider Island exploration.
“This funding will provide opportunities for many Island residents to experience riding an e-bike for the first time, in a variety of traffic free settings and with appropriate tuition.
“We are aware of concerns over the misuse of the bikes so the opportunity to have a proper introduction to them and to address any safety issues is important to both the users and the public at large.”
The projects included in the Isle of Wight programme are:
- a subsidised e-bike hire scheme working with local cycle hire operators;
- a dedicated fleet of e-bikes available for loan for up to 1 month;
- an e-bike roadshow offering people the opportunity to try e-bikes in a safe setting;
- a peer to peer e-bike share scheme, allowing e-bike owners to receive an income in return for making their bikes available for others to use;
- an e-bike corridor utilising the Red Squirrel Trail cycle-path between Newport and Cowes, giving local residents the opportunity to use e-bikes as an alternative to their car.
Between people being at home with more time on their hands, residents itching to spend more time outdoors after lockdown, and commuters looking for socially distant ways to get to work while avoiding public transport, the Island has witnessed a cycling boom over the past 12 months.
The new projects are additional and complementary to the council’s popular Key Worker Cycle Scheme, part of its Access Fund programme, which has enabled more than 500 residents to receive a complimentary bike loan or cycle repair since April last year.
It is anticipated the latest projects will further support the bicycle renaissance and make it easier for Islanders to choose zero-emission and active travel options.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, added:
“We anticipate these short term e-bike experiences will act as a catalyst for increased levels of e-bike ownership among Island residents, realising the health and environmental benefits that this active form of transport can deliver.”
NEW FEATURE! Top Holiday Homes to Buy on the Isle of Wight
People buy holiday homes for many reasons – somewhere to escape to themselves, as a source of income, a lifestyle investment or just somewhere handy for visiting guests to stay. Whatever your reasons, the Isle of Wight has a variety of great holiday homes for sale.
Check out the fantastic caravans, cottages, beach houses and lodges available today at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/top-holiday-homes-to-buy-on-the-isle-of-wight/.
Before we know it some opportunist will be offering up their land for an ‘E-cycle’ track so they can secure permission to build unaffordable houses.
We are aware of concerns over the misuse of the bikes so the opportunity to have a proper introduction to them and to address any safety issues is important to both the users and the public at large.”
……
bacon – are you really such a nanny – everyone gets an introduction to bikes at about the age of five onwards.
How about some support for us motorists we just get shafted .
At least these particular bikes are unlikely to be tampered with in terms of the 15.5 mph speed limit (Unlike many privately owned ones). Even so a closing speed of 30mph on narrow cycle tracks could be interesting
The money would be better spent on the failing NHS Service.
About time they spent some money on motorists who actually pay to use their vehicles after taking a test unlike cyclists who pay nothing towards their infrastructure and aren’t required to take a test or hold insurance.
Do you think all cyclists are exempt from income tax Joe? Do you think the large majority of cyclists don’t own a car aswell Joe? Do you still think people pay ‘car tax’ Joe? Easy to be so negative sat behind a keyboard under a false name, your contribution to the subject is worthless.
Sorry what has income tax got to do with it? I pay income tax but that does not prevent me having to pay to put my car on the road whilst cyclists can use them for free and without insurance and a test.
Where do you think the money for road infrastructure comes from, your ‘car tax’ ?
Amen to that !
Cars are subsidised enough if you count the cost of the pollution they cause (both air and noise) and the damage they do to people (costs to the National Health for accident treatment) and more. The sooner we change to a more safer and socially acceptable form of transport the better.
Bicycles are hardly safe, you can fall off them, you can’t fall off a car. And bicycles cause polution by holding up the traffic.
Agree joe ,
cyclist it should be compulsory to use cycle tracks where provided ie, the race course for one . Instead of causing misery for traffic