Wales first public e-bike share scheme has launched in Penarth, operated by Nextbike. There will initially be 50 e-bikes available for hire from five stations.
Nextbike have been running the bike-share scheme in nearby Cardiff where almost 900,000 rentals have so far been clocked up.
The Penarth Times reports that the e-bike share scheme has arisen thanks to funding from the Vale of Glamorgan Council who reportedly received numerous requests from the public to introduce one.
Nextbike said its research indicated that a lot of commuters ride into Cardiff from Penarth. The bikes can currently only be rented and returned to Penarth stations, but the ambition is to eventually link the scheme with the one in Cardiff.
One word e-Nextbike review: “Effortless”. Just turn the pedals and it goes!!! It even unlocks itself! Thanks @nextbikeuk 🚲🚲🚲 pic.twitter.com/shDeckjcBW
— BikeThere! Cardiff (@biketherecdf) November 15, 2020
Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood services and Transport, Peter King, said: “I’m delighted that we have become the first Council in Wales to introduce public electric bikes.
“Having declared a climate emergency earlier this year, it is vital that as a council we continue to support active and sustainable methods of transport. The bikes are simple to use and their modest tariffs compare favourably with the cost of travelling by car, bus or train.
“The initiative will benefit the health and wellbeing of our commuters and residents and should also be attractive to tourists. If this proves to be a success, we hope to see the scheme expand further.”
Rental costs £1 per 30 minutes for customers with monthly or annual membership or £2 per 30 minutes on a pay-as-you-ride basis.
Staff working at Llandough Hospital are being offered free membership. (More info here.)
Nextbike UK managing director, Krysia Solheim, commented: “We’re delighted to be launching the fleet for the people of Penarth and beyond.
“As the first of its kind in the country, these bikes are not only important to the people of Penarth, they’re also significant to leading the bike share revolution across the whole of Wales.
“We know that when properly implemented, bike share schemes bring major benefits, as can be seen from our fleets in Cardiff and Swansea. It’s an exciting time for Penarth, and it’s largely thanks to the forward-thinking of The Vale of Glamorgan Council.”
