Free e-bike loans for employers of key workers during Coronavirus

Bath & North East Somerset Council has loaned free e-bikes to key workers at Bath’s RUH to help them travel easily on essential journeys during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The ten bikes are part of a fleet of 35 that are being offered to employers of key workers to help them travel quickly and sustainably at a time when public transport has had to be reduced.

The council’s public loan service has been temporarily suspended to ensure that the fleet supports key workers to provide essential services instead.

The council is now calling for other employers of key workers to come forward and borrow the remaining 25 bikes that are available.

Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “We are delighted to be able to support key workers to make essential journeys at this critical time by providing access to our fleet of electric bikes.  Public transport is running on a reduced timetable, so to help staff reach their workplace in a healthy and sustainable manner can only be a benefit. It’s great to see that the RUH is already making use of the bikes, but we’re urging other employers of key workers to get in touch with us and take up our offer too.”

The e-bikes are fitted with lights, locks and a pannier bag and have regular checks to ensure they are roadworthy.

Cris Fletcher, Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator at the RUH, said: “The e-bike loan scheme has proved to be a great help for our colleagues needing to get to the RUH to continue their fantastic work during this crisis. The e-bikes provide a brilliant alternative mode of transport allowing key workers to move around the city freely, as well as easily overcoming the hills surrounding our city.”

Employers wishing to enquire about borrowing e-bikes should email [email protected]

Updates on council services can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus