New e-bike scheme to be rolled out in Bath.
Concern on the impact on local infrastructure
Bath and North East Somerset Council are to closely monitor how the new e-bike scheme in Bath will impact on local footways.
The new service will see the introduction of e-bikes to Bath in addition to the existing e-scooter service, which has been running since October 2020. Its also thought that E-cargo bikes will also be introduced soon. E-scooters, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes are commissioned by the West of England Combined Authority. A fleet of 500 shared e-bikes and e-scooters is now in place in Bath following Tier taking over the West of England Combined Authority contract.
Following the introduction of the new scheme; there has been growing concern over the potential impact of the new e-bikes, such as obstructing footways and how this will affect particular people with access needs. In response, the council and combined authority have agreed plans to ensure smooth implementation of the e-bike scheme, including considering measures such as on-road parking bays and bike racks on pavements where appropriate.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Bath & North East Somerset’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said:
“We welcome the introduction of e-bikes to Bath. They have the potential to be an extremely useful addition to people’s sustainable travel choices and to our joint effort to tackle climate change.
“However, we all recognise that e-bikes require different infrastructure to support them when compared to the e-scooters, especially as e-bikes are much bigger and heavier than e-scooters. I am pleased therefore that Tier will be shortly reducing the number of e-bikes and increasing the number of e-scooters in Bath so they are roughly equal in number, which should help address this. We understand Tier is also planning a long-term rental scheme for e-scooters which also has the potential to reduce the pressure on street parking in the city centre."