A month since they launched their e-bike hire scheme in Glasgow, operator Nextbike have reported the introduction of their electric fleet has been a success - with the e-bikes hired twice as much as their existing regular hire bikes on average.
Glasgow gets Nextbike e-bike hire scheme
Figures quoted in The Scotsman say the Nextbike e-bikes get hired 2.4 times a day on average, while the regular bikes are hired an average of 1.4 times a day; although the fleet of e-bikes numbers just 63, while there are 650 regular Nextbikes without assistance on the streets of Glasgow.
The UK managing director for Nextbike Krysia Solheim said: “Considering October traditionally marks the start of bike share rentals falling in many cities, it’s phenomenal we’re seeing e-bikes being rented at double the rate of our standard fleet. It shows there’s a real appetite for an e-bike scheme in the city.
“With climate change higher than ever on the agenda, we need to find new ways of moving people through our towns and cities.
“E-bikes are a great way of doing this because they make cycling accessible for more people than ever, regardless of their fitness levels.”
It's been a month since we launched our E bikes in Glasgow! Sustainability is at the heart of our venture. Here are a few glimpses from launch day:#smartchoices #Glasgow #greenliving #smartchoices #nextbike pic.twitter.com/b33x3QnmLW
— nextbike UK (@nextbikeUK) November 8, 2019
Hiring an e-bike in Glasgow costs £2 for 20 minutes, and a maximum of £30 a day. The standard bikes cost £1 for 30 minutes and a maximum of £10 a day.
Cycling Scotland also praised the early success of the new e-bikes, and welcomed plans for Nextbike access to people without smartphones or bank accounts through the 'Bikes For all' project - this offers an annual membership for £3 to those on low incomes instead of the usual £60, and members have access to all Nextbike hire bikes throughout the city of Glasgow.
