MORE than 60 electric bikes, based at 21 electric stations, have been added to Glasgow’s nextbike hire fleet.
The e-bikes join the existing Glasgow fleet of 650 standard bikes and were made possible by a joint funding initiative from Glasgow City Council and the Transport Scotland eBike Grant Fund, delivered by Energy Saving Trust.
Councillor Anna Richardson with nextbike managing director Krysia Solheim.
Glaswegians have made more than 830,000 bike rentals since nextbike launched in the city in 2014, cycling an 1.4million kilometres around the city — the equivalent of cycling to the moon and back almost four times.
Electric bike rental will not currently be covered by current memberships. Customers will be able to rent the e-bikes using their existing nextbike accounts. Rides will be charged on a pay-as-you-ride basis at £2 per 20 minutes or £30 per day.
Councillor Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “E-bikes are growing in popularity and having them available for hire in Glasgow is a fantastic option for getting about the city. Electrically-assisted bikes provide a boost to those who are building up their fitness, make longer trips by bike more manageable and open up cycling to people who may have not considered it before
“I am especially pleased to see the 21 new charging points spread so evenly across the city, from Possil and Shawlands in the north and south to Dalmarnock and Maryhill in the east and west.
“Adding e-bikes to the hire fleet is another clear demonstration of our commitment to pursue more sustainable forms of transport in Glasgow and add to the effort to de-carbonise how we travel across the city.”
nextbike MD, Krysia Solheim said: “E-bikes are not only great for reducing journey times and taking on steep hills — of which Glasgow has plenty — but they’re also a great way of increasing inclusivity and getting people of all abilities and fitness levels into cycling.
“Glasgow is one of our flagship schemes, so it’s fitting that the city will get our first significant fleet of e-bikes. We’d like to thank our partners for their support in making this ambition a reality.”
Cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity Michael Matheson said: “I’m pleased that Scottish Government eBike Grant Fund has enabled the introduction of 63 e-bikes to Glasgow. Over £176,000 was provided to increase e-bike options across the city through the accessible nextbike service.
“This initiative provides access to the benefits of e-bikes and I am certain that people who live, work and visit Glasgow will be delighted to have this additional active travel option. It’s an exciting way to get around for everyday journeys which will encourage people to leave the car for a more sustainable mode of transport.
“Through the eBike Grant Fund, we’ve funded over 600 e-bikes across Scotland, which is an important step forward in improving our air quality, improving individual health and meeting our ambitious climate targets.”
Charging points for the e-bikes can be found at George Square, Merchant Square, St Enoch Square, Broomielaw, Botanic Gardens, University of Glasgow (East), Bellgrove Railway Station (North), Cessnock Subway Station, Queens Park Railway Station, Langside Hall (live January 2019), Shawlands Railway Station, Dalmarnock Railway Station, Speirs Wharf, Glasgow Green – Saltmarket / Clyde Place, Firhill Road, Woodside (North), Battlefield (live January 2019), Alexandra Parade (West), Shakespeare Street (Maryhill), Possil Health Centre (Saracen Street) and Cambridge Street.
| nextbike
