Ebike Centres provides electric ‘bike pool’ scheme for University
A new fleet of electric bikes is encouraging University of Leicester staff to cycle between campuses.
Leicester electric bike specialists Ebike Centres have supplied two FreeGo electric cycles, as well as non-electric bicycles, for the university’s new bike pool. The aim of the project is to move staff more quickly and efficiently between campuses at the university.
Dr Sandra Lee, who set up the bike pool, says the new bikes are already helping to get more university staff to cycle instead of using cars.
“One of the barriers to cycling to work that I hear regularly is people not wanting to turn up sweaty or having to get changed,” she says. ”These bikes allow you to pedal in your normal work clothes, even a skirt and heels, without breaking sweat. They allow staff to travel between sites effortlessly, faster than other travel modes, and won’t clog up precious car park spaces.”
The University’s bike pool, which also includes conventional cycles, is available for all Brookfield-based staff to use with plans to roll the scheme out to other University staff in the future.
Liam Dunphy, managing director of Ebike Centres in Granby Street, Leicester, said: “Electric bikes are a greener, cheaper alternative to cars with virtually zero carbon emissions. Even though they are less work, they still offer many of the same health benefits as conventional cycling.”
Ebike Centres joined staff at the University for a trial day to demonstrate the electric bikes.
One participant, Michelle Munday, from the University’s Estates and Facilities department, said: “The electric bikes were a lot easier to ride than an ordinary bike, and they were very comfortable on the road.”
The University also operates a Cycle to Work scheme that encourages staff to ditch their cars in favour of bikes, at least occasionally. The government-backed scheme allows employees to obtain a bike on interest-free credit and save around a third of the tax on the repayments. Electric bikes are also available through the cycle to work scheme, so this allows staff a chance to try them on a short business trip before they decide to buy their own.
Previously a frequent driver to work, Kirsty Bayliss now has her own electric bike through the University’s Cycle to Work scheme. She uses it for her commute from Coalville to the University – a round trip of 26 miles.
She says: “They are so easy to use. Before this I hadn’t ridden a bike in over a year and I was very impressed at how efficient the e-bikes were. They just make life that little bit easier and they are a great way to travel between campuses, especially for staff and students.”
Trevor Humphreys, the Director of Estates at the University, also helped to put the bike pool into place. He said: “I am very pleased that we now have a bike pool in position. There is a health and well-being benefit for the staff if they use the electric bikes, and the other benefit is that it will reduce carbon emissions if staff start cycling instead of driving between campuses.”
The bikes use a motor powered by a small lithium-ion battery to provide pedal assistance. A cadence sensor monitors how quickly the rider is pedalling and applies power accordingly. The result is a smooth ride and speeds of beyond 15mph.
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From L to R: Michelle Munday from the University’s Estates and Facilities department, Liam Dunphy, managing director of Ebike Centres and Trevor Humphreys the Director of Estates at the University.
