Wheelie good response to electric bike scheme

Monday 08 August 2016

Jersey’s Infrastructure Department says there’s been a good response to its E bike initiative.

One hundred and fifty Islanders have taken advantage of the scheme and used a grant to buy an electric bike, and another 150 have applied for grants but not yet bought their bikes.

Under the Department of Infrastructure’s car2cyle scheme anyone interested in buying an electric bike can get a discount of 20% off the price of the bike up to a maximum of £300.

The department’s aim is to fund 500 bikes over a three-year period.

Anyone who wants to buy a bike simply has to fill in an application form and take it, together with photo identification and proof of address, to Sand Street Parking Control or Driver and Vehicle Standards. Upon receipt of an approved application form you have four weeks to redeem the discount at participating shops.

Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Eddie Noel says: “I’m pleased with the uptake of the car2cycle scheme and have heard some positive testimonials over the last two months. My department will shortly be issuing a survey to those applicants who have purchased an E bike under the scheme so that we can evidence any changes in commuter habits, and what further actions are needed to encourage more cycling in Jersey.”

The department says E bikes are more sustainable as they have zero emissions; there are no parking fees or petrol costs; and they offer a healthy alternative for commuting and making cycling easier.