Vandalism and theft ‘priced in’ to new Sheffield bike rental scheme
“We think it’s a really good opportunity for people to show their support and respect and will continue to fund it and expand it”
Vandalism and theft have been ‘priced in’ to a £2m e-bike rental scheme - believed to be the first in the country.
South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said he was “very excited” about the subscription service, which will see people across South keep e-bikes at at home on long term loan.
He said it would offer an alternative to public transport or driving and they were prepared for an element of anti-social behaviour.
The last rental scheme in Sheffield - Ofo yellow bikes - was dogged by vandalism and theft, before being axed. Bikes ended up abandoned across the Steel City.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is tendering for an initial contract of £520,000 for 275 e-bikes to hire.
Should the project succeed, more will be ordered to take the value to £2m, documents state, which is the equivalent of more than 1,000 bikes.
Mr Coppard said: “We believe is the first in the country. A lot of people want to access opportunities and don’t have access to a cycle to work scheme.
“Electric bikes are a good, reliable way of getting to and from work and an alternative to public transport and cars.
“It’s about giving people freedom of choice.
“This is a subsidised service that people are responsible for and crucially they are paying for.
“Of course we have priced into the scheme a certain element of anti-social behaviour and theft, as you would a shopkeeper selling beans.
“We think it’s a really good opportunity for people to show their support and respect and will continue to fund it and expand it, that is the ambition.”
Meanwhile, Sheffield City Council is working on a city hire scheme with 900 e-bikes, targeting “early 2027.”
The authority wants to cut city centre traffic by up to a fifth over the next 15 years to make streets “more people friendly and prosperous”.
In September, the city council revealed it had spent more than £27m on cycling infrastructure in the last two years.