E-bikes arrive in Edinburgh as Just Eat bike scheme extended

Councillor Lesley Macinnes cuts the ribbon on the new e-bikes

The revolution in cycling has hit the streets of Edinburgh as a brand new fleet of e-bikes was launched on Monday morning.

More than 160 electric bikes - battery assisted bikes - has been introduced to the Capital as an extension of the successful Just Eat bikes roll-out in 2018.

Operated by Serco, the bikes will be available to hire across the city and will provide users with a boost of power when tackling hills.

Just Eat's e-bikes were launched in Edinburgh on Monday

The bikes will be available to customers for no additional charge until March 16, but will cost 10p more per minute in the future.

Transport convener Lesley Macinnes said the launch would open up cycling to more people than ever before.

She said: “I think this is going to open up the bike scheme to a lot of people who might not have previously considered it.

“We have a fairly unique topography in Edinburgh with lots of hills but the e-bikes make an enormous difference to people’s ability to contemplate biking in Edinburgh.

“Biking is clearly a beneficial solution that is beneficial for individuals and it is definitely beneficial for the city for the efficiency of how we all move around.

“The more people that don’t sit in a car by themselves in congestion, and the more people who take up these kind of options for moving around in the city the better.”

Chief executive of Transport for Edinburgh, George Lowder, said the scheme will make it easier for people to not take the car into the city centre.

He said: “You can get a bus, you can get a tram, and then you can finish that last mile or kilometre of the journey by bike.

“We’re trying to make it easier and easier to not have to take the car into the city.”

Alex Macdonald, general manager of Just Eat Cycles, said: “We’re proud to launch our fleet of 168 e-bikes and introduce the new service to this brilliant city. Those who live, work, study and visit Edinburgh now have access to a fleet of e-bikes which will grow to become the UK’s largest docked e-bike fleet.

“We look forward to seeing people enjoying the e-bikes, and choosing them as a sustainable and affordable alternative mode of public transport.”

Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust who awarded nearly £240,000 of grant funding for the scheme, said: “E-bikes are growing in popularity across Scotland and provide a fantastic low carbon transport option which promotes sustainable and active travel.

“The addition of e-bikes to the public hire scheme in Edinburgh increases their accessibility for local residents and visitors alike, which can only be viewed as progress.”