Derby’s e-bike scheme to expand

Derby’s e-bike scheme is set to expand, and is looking for corporate sponsors.

More than 16,000 trips have been made and 53,000 miles travelled since the end of June.

Locations for additional docking stations in Derby’s suburbs are now being investigated due to the scheme’s success and demand from users.

The e-bikes, provided by US-based Social Bicycles, are currently based at 30 docking stations across the city.

The scheme is being operated by Hourbike, the UK’s longest established bikeshare operator.

The e-bikes were installed in Derby after the city council was successful in bidding for funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, with match funding from the University of Derby.

Sponsors are now being sought for the scheme and Hourbike has confirmed that Cycle Derby will sponsor 20 of the bikes.

Mark Smith, Cycle Derby project manager, said: “Cycle Derby is delighted to be the first sponsor for e-bikes Derby. 

"We look forward to using this new and exciting ad space to really promote our service, encouraging more people across Derby, regardless of age or ability, to get active, to get healthy and to have fun on bikes.”

Tim Caswell, owner and managing director of Hourbike, said that the e-bikes scheme was going from strength to strength.

He said: “We are thrilled to have Cycle Derby on board and there are still plenty of opportunities for more sponsors to get involved. 

“The Derby public has continued to support the scheme and demand for the e-bikes is as high as ever. 

“We have had lots of request for more docking station locations and we will be investigating those along with geo-fenced docks which are shown on the map on our app but are not physically on the ground.”

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