The Welsh Government is launching a pilot schemes to accelerate uptake of e-bikes in Wales.

The Welsh Government will fund pilot schemes to accelerate the uptake of electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric cargo bikes (e-cargo bikes) in Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, said the move is part of efforts to deliver a culture change in how people get around in Wales, creating a greener and more convenient transport network. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

International examples have shown that e-bikes are a practical alternative to the car for some people. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The schemes therefore adds to a range of Welsh Government policies that look to tackle congestion and get people more active. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The pilots will see four e-bike ‘hubs’ established in Rhyl, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Barry. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They will offer low cost hire and long-term loan of e-bikes for local residents. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Two e-cargo bike ‘libraries’ will be established in Aberystwyth and Swansea, offering free trials of e-cargo bikes as well as advice and training for local businesses and residents. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

E-cargo bikes offer the potential to reduce van traffic, for example being used for last mile deliveries. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It is envisioned the schemes, which will run over two years, will be open to the public and businesses in the summer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Llwybr Newydd, the Welsh Government’s draft transport strategy, has committed to a significant reduction of emissions from the transport sector. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Mr Waters said: “We want to give people more options of how to get around, and in particular we want to make greener forms of transport more convenient and accessible. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Sustainable travel requires a culture change and the pilots are another step towards delivering our goal. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“There is a strong link between e-bikes and active travel as more people get used to being on bikes. “There are also specific benefits in rural communities where longer distances are more common, with e-bikes making cycling viable for more people. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“These pilots will be used to gather evidence and inform policy, with a view to a wider rollout in the future.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Sustrans Cymru will work with local social enterprises to deliver these pilots. They will engage with participants and use monitors fitted to e-bikes and e-cargo bikes to develop an evidence base. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Christine Boston, Director, Sustrans Cymru said: “Sustrans Cymru are thrilled to be delivering this pilot project in five locations across Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“e-Bikes and e-Cargo bikes have the potential to transform the way people think about active travel. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“By working directly with communities, we will gather valuable data from participant feedback including journey patterns, barriers and network development needs. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This will in turn help inform Welsh Government of the potential that E Bikes hold in decarbonising transport. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The project will empower people who would not usually cycle to try a sustainable way of travelling. “It will also provide an alternative travel option to those who may not own a car.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Main image: “Electric Bike” by nedrichards is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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