PEOPLE living in Leicester can sign up to a new scheme offering them a free four-week loan of an electric cycle.
The Leicester e-cycles loan scheme is a city council-led project that aims to encourage more people to consider using an e-cycles as an alternative to the car for short journeys.
To be eligible for the free e-cycle loan, people need to live in the city and have an Active Leicester membership. It’s quick and easy to sign up for a free pay as you go membership, and there will be no charge for the loan. Applicants must be over 16 years of age.
The scheme aims to encourage more people to take up cycling for regular trips and leave the car at home for short journeys.
People who borrow an e-cycle and complete a travel diary showing how it was used will be eligible for a voucher towards the cost of a potential e-cycle purchase.
The scheme is fully funded through Active Travel England and around 100 e-cycles will be available to borrow as part of the two-year pilot project.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “We’re pleased to be launching this new and completely free electric cycle loan scheme, thanks to funding from Active Travel England. It will offer people a chance to try before they buy and hopefully encourage more people to discover the benefits of cycling for short journeys.
“It’s also a great opportunity for people to explore the city by bike.”
All the e-cycles on loan as part of the scheme meet all current UK rules regarding electrically assisted pedal cycles. This means that they have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts and a motor that is unable to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5mph, which is the current legal limit for electrical assistance.
To find more about the Leicester e-cycles loan scheme, including how to apply for Active Leicester membership, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/cycleleicester