A new council dockless electric cycle hire scheme is set to launch in the borough in June. This trial scheme will be launched over three phases. It will start in Brentford and Chiswick.
Published: Wednesday, 17th May 2023
A new council dockless electric cycle hire scheme is set to launch in the borough in June.
This trial scheme will be launched over three phases. The first will start with e-bikes in Brentford and Chiswick. It will then expand to Osterley, Isleworth & Hounslow in July before growing into Heston, Cranford, Bedfont, Feltham & Hanworth in August.
To support the new service, the Council will be installing up to 300 new bike bays in on roads and pavements where space allows for the unrestricted access of pedestrians. The e-bikes must be picked up or dropped off from these bays or users will be fined.
As part of the first phase of the scheme, e-bikes will be available to people across Chiswick and Brentford, with usage enabled via a mobile app. The e-bikes will be rolled out across the borough in stages this Summer, which will be made available at no cost to the council.
The Council’s transport strategy aims to promote better health, manage congestion and improve air quality through a range of schemes, including those that encourage walking and cycling. E-bikes can help to break down the barriers that stop some people from cycling, including fitness, age and journey length, meaning more people than ever can take to two wheels. They will also provide a safe, convenient and inexpensive way for people looking to replace car journeys with more sustainable transport options.
The scheme will also regulate the currently unauthorised use of e-bikes in the borough and will ensure they are parked only in the authorised bays.
Cllr Katherine Dunne, Cabinet member for Climate, Environment and Transport Strategy said: “Cycling has so many benefits - from supporting people’s health and wellbeing, to easing traffic and improving air quality.
By introducing dockless e-bikes to the borough and enabling people to take one-way trips, we can encourage even more people to try out cycling in the area and improve the air quality for all in the borough as the trial expands.”
Find out more on the Hounslow Council website at:
www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/2504/e-bike_rental_scheme_trial
