by Andre Sobol
Leicester is set to become the home of the largest e-bike scheme in the UK next spring following an agreement with cycle provider Ride On.
More than 500 electric bikes will be available to hire from 50 stations around the city, with work already underway to create these docking points.
Complications due to the ongoing pandemic have caused delays to the scheme, but the council hopes that the rising interest in active lifestyles will push residents to embrace cycling when it does launch.
Titled Santander Cycles Leicester, the £600,000 project is a joint effort involving the Leicester City Council, Santander UK and Ride On.
Ride On is a Spanish company that has had great success with their bike sharing services in their native country and are now expanding into the UK following good results in Miami.
Santander Cycles Leicester will mainly focus on serving the city centre with some of the city’s main landmarks serving as Docking stations – including St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester Railway Station and De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre.
Options to hire out bikes will range from day passes to membership plans, and the easy to use unlock system can be activated by smartphone or key cards found at kiosks.
