The Big Issue launches first eBikes scheme to boost green employment opportunities

The Big Issue this week announced the launch of its national eBikes scheme, delivered in partnership with ShareBike.

The  scheme, the first of its kind, will recruit and retrain unemployed and vulnerable people in local communities, providing them with access to support and services to improve their lives. Critically, all employees will be paid a Living Wage.

The scheme aims to encouraging and enable people to cycle, rather than drive, reducing congestion, acknowledging that people making small ‘daily life’ changes, towards bigger eco-friendly living goals, will collectively make a difference, meeting environmental needs, in tandem with encouraging active, healthy, living.

The cycling city of Bristol, a city where The Big Issue already has a strong presence, helping the most vulnerable get back on to their feet, supporting people into income generation, will be the first city to see bikes available for hire.

At launch the scheme is backed by a £450,000 investment from City Funds, a Bristol-based impact investment fund run by Bristol & Bath Regional Capital (BBRC).

Big Issue eBikes will also directly benefit Bristol’s Clean Air plan by providing a genuine alternative to car use. This is important, as currently over 80 per cent of Bristol’s pollution has been shown to be from local traffic sources. The estimated benefit for Bristol with a scheme of around 500 bikes is a direct reduction of 1,900 car trips a day.

Paul Cheal, CEO of The Big Issue Group, said: “We are incredibly excited to have worked in collaboration with Charities Aid Foundation, BBRC, Bristol City Council and many local community groups in Bristol on the launch of the first The Big Issue eBikes scheme. Renting an eBike from The Big Issue is not only good for the environment, but it also creates opportunities for marginalised people. You are biking for good.”

Jan Tore Endresen, CEO of ShareBike, said: “In our partnership with The Big Issue, ShareBike sees a unique opportunity to help people whilst providing sustainable mobility. With more than 20 years’ experience in global bike sharing we have ensured that Big Issue eBikes offer a comfortable and convenient alternative to fossil fuel-based transportation, as well as providing an affordable mode of travelling around cities in the UK.”

Jari Moate, Investment Manager at BBRC, said: “It will be innovations like Big Issue eBikes that will be key to ensuring a just transition, here in Bristol and UK-wide. Not only are there clear environmental benefits to this micro-mobility solution, Big Issue and ShareBike have ensured local social and financial value too. It’s the vital triple-bottom-line approach that’s necessary if we’re going to create a sustainable and inclusive future, and we’re very pleased to be helping bring this scheme to Bristol first.”

The Big Issue and ShareBike are calling local businesses to take up the scheme in order to provide ethical and sustainable ways for people to travel and support unemployed or vulnerable people back into skilled work.

Businesses interested in the scheme can visit www.bigissue.bike to find out how they can set up an eBike scheme in their local community.