Ride Electric launches e-Bike leasing initiative for businesses in North East & Northern Ireland

Ride Electric has launched a new e-Bike leasing initiative to offer a safe and environmentally friendly mode of transport for workers in the North East of England and Northern Ireland.

Following consultation and providing support to the NHS and area police forces during the UK lockdown, North East based Ride Electric has offered the flexible long-term e-Bike leasing option to businesses throughout the region in order to actively address the UK’s commuting issue as a result of Covid-19.

Ride Electric will now also expand its operations into Northern Ireland as part of its growth plan.

The new service follows a study released by the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solution (CREDS), which suggested electric bikes could greatly reduce transport emissions and offer workers a way to return to the workplace during coronavirus.

“e-Bikes have revolutionised the way people travel in Europe and the time is now to fully embrace this technology in the UK,” said Sue Anderson, Ride Electric’s Business Development Manager. “We are all aware of the focus on bikes and walking as the solution to assist business staff in getting to work safely during the crisis. We believe that this will result in the reallocation of road space for shared use for cars, pedestrians, and of course, bikes.

“This could remove the historic resistance to cycle use, using a road infrastructure biased towards cars. E-Bikes allow employees to travel longer distances in shorter times, to arrive at work feeling motivated and energised. e-Bikes will not only enable businesses to open up but will improve the health of employees, improve the environment, and allow our industries to thrive.”

The e-Bikes provided as part of Ride Electric’s new service will come equipped with the firm’s eRideTrak technology; a pre-configured GPS Tracker which can pinpoint the bike’s location and route tracking history, while providing journey statistics for carbon reduction and staff wellbeing.

Ride Electric has been trialling its technology with various organisations during the lockdown period, as part of its strategy to eventually provide its leasing service to partners and businesses throughout the UK.

The electric bikes will be equipped with rack, pannier bag, charger and spares kit, with handover training provided to familiarise the rider with the eBike and care requirements.

Dr Julie Hall, Consultant Diagnostic and Spinal Intervention Neuroradiologist at Newcastle City Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As part of the country’s response to Covid-19, people have been discouraged from using public transport and services have been greatly reduced. This meant that key workers at Newcastle Hospitals were looking for alternative, safe and easy modes of transport to and from work.

“E-Bikes are a very efficient form of transport. They are also clean and sustainable with zero emissions. This is important for Newcastle Hospitals as we have committed to becoming a net zero carbon organisation and to improving air quality around our sites. As cycling infrastructure continues to improve in our towns and cities, and cycle routes become safer and better publicised, e-Bikes will become a more popular choice for staff both for commuting and personal use.”

Within the scheme, the price for a fully equipped and supported urban or touring e-Bike varies on the length of forward commitment, from £195 per month for a six month commitment, to £121 per month for a 24 month commitment. An initial payment of two months rental is required to be paid in advance, including a deposit which will be refunded at the end of the agreement.

The e-Bike can be purchased for a reduced cost at the end of the leasing term through finance and/or with a Cycle to Work voucher.

Neighborhood Inspector Mark Storey, from Northumbria Police, said Ride Electric’s e-Bikes had proved a ‘vital asset’ to policing resources and have enabled officers to cover a larger patrol area during the coronavirus lockdown.

“The bike have also been crucial during our Covid-19 response as they have helped us maintain social distancing and given us alternate forms of patrolling to access and support the communities we serve.”

More information on Ride Electric’s e-Bike leasing initiative can be found here.