Welsh e-bike borrowing scheme expands to sixth town

Sustrans Cymru’s community e-bike borrowing project in Wales is now operating in Abergavenny, thanks to funding from Monmouthshire County Council through Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund

E-Move began in 2021 as a pilot scheme, delivered by Sustrans Cymru, that loaned e-bikes to people living in Aberystwyth, Rhyl, Barry, Swansea, Newtown and surrounding areas.

As part of the project, residents of Abergavenny will be able to borrow an e-bike or e-cargo bike, with both types being available for a four-week loan period, for free.

Local businesses and organisations can borrow either an e-bike or an e-cargo bike at no cost for 12 weeks.

Analysis of the scheme was undertaken last year, which found that 76% of the scheme’s users reported positive impacts on their health and 79% reported positive impacts on their well-being as a result of using the e-bikes.

Businesses and organisations borrowing e-cargo bikes saw their weekly car and van trips fall by 62%, and they reported reduced travel costs and quicker journey times.

The research also identified barriers that prevented people from cycling generally, some of which could be overcome by the use of electrically assisted bikes, not least the comparative ease with which they can tackle Wales’ famous hills.

Speaking about E-Move coming to Abergavenny, Charlie Gordon, Sustrans Cymru Project Co-ordinator, said: ‘We’re excited to be working with Monmouthshire County Council to bring E-Move to Abergavenny, and for people to have a chance at using an e-bike themselves for free.

‘There’s a load of benefits to riding an e-bike – you save money on fuel, you get to exercise, you can travel further than on a standard push bike, they make riding up hills easier – and E-Move enables people to experience those positives for themselves, for free.

‘The project is open to everyone who lives in the Abergavenny area, so we’d encourage people to get in touch to register their interest.’

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby, added: ‘The E-Move project is an excellent example of how working in partnerships can make active travel more accessible to our residents.

‘It’s fantastic to work with Sustrans Cymru to provide e-bikes for residents to borrow.’