Electric bike scheme launching in Buckinghamshire
Two docks have been placed on the Waddesdon Greenway route
A electric bike scheme has been set up in Aylesbury.
A second docking station is being put in at Aylesbury Vale Parkway rail station to complete the first step of the electric bike scheme.
It is Buckinghamshire's first trial of its kind and the second station will allow people to use the bikes along the Waddesdon Greenway route.
It will link with the docking station at Waddesdon Manor to provide users with a safe route to ride on.
The e-bikes are available on a first-come-first-served basis and full instructions on how to hire are displayed on the docking stations themselves.
Hire charges are £1.50 for the first hour and £1.00 for each additional 30 minutes. The bikes charge up through the docking stations and are available round the clock, 365 days a year.
Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport Nick Naylor said he welcomed the completion of the County's first ever e-bike rental scheme:
"Alongside our e-scooter trials in High Wycombe and Aylesbury, this e-bike scheme will add another dimension to getting around safely and sustainably which is particularly important in these challenging times. I'd like to thank all the partners involved for their hard work and commitment to bring this scheme to fruition."
Eleni Jordan, Commercial and Customer Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways said:
"Chiltern Railways are very pleased to be supporting this innovative and exciting e-bike hire scheme that I know will prove popular with visitors and locals alike. We look forward to welcoming customers back to our services when Covid restrictions are eased, and these e-bikes will be the perfect way to continue a day-trip from Aylesbury Vale Parkway along the Greenway to Waddesdon Manor."
The scheme is a partnership between the Council, Aylesbury Garden Town, Waddesdon Manor and Chiltern Railways over the last year to set everything up.
The e-bikes are operated by French company Smoove, with full repair and maintenance support from local company Cyclefleet.
Bikes will be available for an initial period of 12 months and full customer support will be available 24 hours a day.