Ever wondered what your lifestyle might look like with an electric bike (aka e-bike) in it?
Well, now Canberrans have the chance to test out the environmentally-friendly lifestyle option for up to two weeks.
The Electric Bike Library Trial was launched by the ACT Government today, Friday 24 July, giving residents a chance to try before you buy.
ACT Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Shane Rattenbury, said he was pleased to announce the program, which would give Canberrans a choice in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
“In the ACT we have to do something about transport emissions,” he said.
“That means we have to provide the option for people in the community to have different ways to get around town that don’t involve getting in the car.
“The beauty of this scheme is you can have it for two weeks, try it out and ideally be sold and go on and make the purchase to join the cycling revolution we want to build here in Canberra.”
The trial will be facilitated by sustainability organisation See-Change, with e-bikes provided by Switched on Cycles.
There is a choice of seven different models to test, as well as a range of accessories for different lifestyles, including baby seats.
SEE-Change project officer, Brooke Clinton, said she was looking forward to seeing Canberrans trial the e-bikes within their lifestyles.
“This project with all of these lovely bikes is about enjoying your local area and getting the most out of it and those local trips,” she said.
“I think people will find that they are easier to use than you might think.”
E-bikes will be available to loan for free for a period of two weeks from the SEE-Change office at Downer shops and on occasion at Switched on Cycles in O’Connor.
There is an insurance cost when hiring the e-bikes, covering public liability and personal injury for the trial period.
Mr Rattenbury said the trial will run until June 2021, with the possibility of extension based on popularity.
“You can trial it out, see what it’s like and discover that you could potentially replace, in a multi-car household, one car with a bicycle,” he said.
“I think that is one thing Canberrans can imagine being involved in.”
