Leicester City Council partners with Ride On for shared e-bikes

Leicester City Council has partnered with e-bike hire provider Ride On as its partner in the city’s forthcoming e-bike sharing scheme.

The scheme, known as Santander Cycles Leicester, will see 500 electric bikes available to hire from 50 locations across the city centre. Santander Cycles Leicester is set to become the largest docked e-bike hire scheme in the UK.

Work is now under way to create the docking stations where the bikes will charge, ahead of a public launch planned for spring 2021.

Commenting on the announcement, Deputy City Mayor for Environment and Transportation, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “We’re very excited to have appointed Ride On as our operator and to be bringing this scheme to Leicester. The scheme will be low-cost and very easy to use, with people able to pick up and return the e-bikes at the docking stations, where they charge up when not in use.

“The coronavirus pandemic has meant we have had to delay the launch of the scheme, but this gives us the opportunity to test it ahead of a public launch next spring.

“We also know that the pandemic has led to much more interest in cycling, so we will be able to build on that momentum to launch the scheme.

“Since 2012, we’ve invested more than £70m in creating cycling-friendly streets, people-friendly public squares, public transport hubs and cycle tracks along main roads. Recently, we led the way nationally by installing nearly 11 miles of new cycling and walking routes in just 10 weeks, to help people get around safely during the coronavirus crisis.

“Santander Cycles Leicester will build on our commitment to cycling, helping people from all of our diverse communities to get on a bike. It’s an exciting scheme and an important part of Leicester’s recovery. I’m very much looking forward to seeing these e-bikes in use around the city.”

The £600,000 project is being funded by a partnership made up of Leicester City Council – following the council’s successful bid to the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities fund – with sponsorship from Santander UK and additional investment from the operator, Ride On, and their delivery partner Enzen Global.

Ride On began as a Spanish start-up providing e-bike sharing schemes in Spain, but is now offering its services internationally. It has already launched a shared e-bike scheme in Miami and will be launching soon in Dundee as well.

Santander Cycles Leicester will cover the city centre and its surrounding neighbourhoods. Ride On’s maintenance team will disinfect all of the equipment every day, and users will be advised to use hand sanitiser and/or gloves when riding the bikes to curb the spread of COVID-19.

People will be able to register online or at one of the on-street kiosks, buy a plan based on their needs and then use a smartphone or keycard to unlock a bike and start riding. Day passes and membership fares will be available to help people make the most of the service

The scheme is designed to be socially inclusive, with discounts and incentives offered to help make sure Santander Cycles Leicester is an affordable choice for everyone.

Dan Sherwood, Director of Marketing at Santander UK, said: “We are extremely proud to support Leicester City Council in this ground-breaking initiative and we’re excited by the possibilities that this innovative e-bike scheme will create for the people of Leicester.”

Miguel Vital, CEO of Ride On, said: “For Ride On, it’s an honour to become the operator and manager of the bike share scheme for Leicester City Council, and to receive support from Santander UK. Today we begin a journey that will make Leicester a smarter city in terms of mobility and will contribute to it becoming an environmentally sustainable landmark.”

Leicester City Council was awarded nearly £8million from the Transforming Cities Fund to spend on a range of major projects. As well as the bike share scheme, these will include developing better walking and cycling links and upgrading to electric buses on the Birstall park and ride route.